Letter – Edward Blackett to John Erasmus Blackett – 19 Jan 1800

Thorpe Lee Jan 19 1800

Dear Brother

      Every one has paid tribute to the late very sever weather; we have had our colds & coughs here, I hear the same from Bath, where my Son is att present, & likewise from Town; I am very glad to hear that your young folks have escaped them, we have no right to expect it.

We were in hopes of seeing Admiral Collingwood & Mrs Collingwood here, & if the Admiral's Ship had been order'd to Portsmouth instead of Plymouth, we should have had that pleasure; But I am affraid those hopes are blown over, as the A will probably soon be order'd to join our Fleet off Brest. I believe most people on each side of the Water are heartily tired of the War & think there has been blood & treasure enough expended, in increasing the calamity of Mankind; & when the War is over, we probably shall find that it would have been better, & easier settled for all Parties, at the 1st flush of the business than it will be hereafter; I have no doubt if the danger; difficulties & expence of the war; had fell equally on those who promoted it; but we should have had a Peace long since. Whether the late offers of Boneparte was according to the exact Etiquette I cant pretend to say, but I am sure they open a door that an able & willing Minister might find a way thro, to obtain an honorable Peace.

      I was much concerned to see by the Newcastle Papers, of the great loss of Shiping & indeed wch is of more consequence, of the Crews, on the N. Eastern coasts; Sr H Vincent had a narrow Escape, the vessel he was on board, was the last wch got safe to the Continent before violent Storms.

      We were much obliged to you for Supplying Mr Bates with some Rye; everything that can be done for the Poor, is now doing thro:out the Kingdom; except by some few, who ought to do the most, Soup is giving away here, which most of our Poor do not like so well, as a distribution of Money, which they can carry to Ale House, or the Gin Shop.

      Col & Mrs Beaumont may stay or go where they please, They will not be much esteemed any where; the Folly of one, & the basity of the other will always mislead them; they lose the advantage of an opulent fortune & will not stoop to pick up, the Credit & Respect, wch is generally offer'd to those who possess such affluence.

      Mr Scott still continues Athlone, Disciplining the different Corps wch are sent to him, as soon as one body of troops are brought into good discipline they are sent off, & another Body, but of raw men, are sent to replace them, to be brought into as good discipline as those which they succeeded; so I fancy he has a disagreable time enough of it, & I hope & trust that Ld Cornwallis  will see that something handsome is done for him; was it not for Ld Cornwallis; I dare say he would get nothing but his trouble for his Pains.

      My Wife writes wth me in her Love & best wishes, wth those of the late season to yself, Mrs Collingwood & her young Folks & I am Dr Bror yours Most faithfully 

	E Blackett

All friends att Thorpe desire to be remember'd to you