Letter – Edward Blackett to John Erasmus Blackett – 8 Mar 1775

      Hollis Street Cavendish Square

8th March 1775

Dear Brother

      Mr Cookson was wth me yesterday and brought with him the State of the groves, & the opinion of Foster, If he ask'd me my Sentiments In regard to it; I told him the most necessary thing In my opinion was to pay off the debts at the bank & till that was done I should listen to no proposal whatsoever; when the pay was made wch should be done as soon as possible, & the debt at the bank clear'd off; then I would consider of any new proposal in regard to the workings & mine, & granting a new lease, but I shall not certainly review the old one; as the fire engine & other extensive articles are to be laid aside: at least If they mean only to try the mine to the west, wch I take to be their design. I expect a good deal of difficulty will arise, before all the parties will pay their respective proportions of the debts. It was agreed my dues should be pd off wth the mony they rec'd, so cash must be taken less at the Bank to make the next ensuing pay.

      The Bishop of Durham applyed to me the other day, for any papers that I had that could give any account of the tradicional Story of the Dragon at Sockburn , & of the antient tennure of that manor: I happened to have two old letters that were wrote to my G:father by a Mr [blank space left] a Herald at arms  answering several questions put to him, wch I sent to the Bishop: but he shall want the form of words used when the Bishop comes, into the Bishoprick, & is met upon the Bridge, & the <Falchion> is put into his hand; you was so obliging as to perform that correctly for me when the Bishop came wch if you can remember the words, or have the form by you I should be much obliged to you if you would send it me as soon as you can; It seems all this is for Mr Tennant who is now busy I suppose in writing to the account of that part of the Bishoprick of Durham.

      Bro. Harry is I hear come to Hampton Court I fancy we shall see him there in five days. The fine weather has left us & is succeeding by rain: american affairs seem to go on pretty well, was it not for people this side the waters they would go <...>,  My Wife & Nancy join wth me for our Love & best Wishes to yself & my Sister & I am 	Dear Brother yrs most affectionately  

      E Blackett.