Letter – James Standsfield to William Blackett – 5 Mar 1680

Mr Wm Blackett, 			March 5th 1680



Sr,

I recd yrs of the 29th past, and as to the Wood we have it as secure a bargaine as Lawyers advice could make it; you say you will speedily send the needfull materials for the Smelt-Mill; I was in hopes the harths would have beene hear er now; they beeing to bee gott at Allingfoord 16 m above Newcastle; But seeing they are not my desire is they may bee sent as soone as possible at least one harth consisting of 2 Bearers 2 Keystones 1 foorstoone two back peeces and 2 bellie pipes; their are 2 Cariers that constantly travell twixt Newcastle & Dunfreze, the one called Walter Elderdice liveing in Newcastle at the back of Kirkgate & the other is Jno Carlile whose residence is at Dunfreze, and you may agree wth either of them to bring the harths by land to Wanlockhead. Hoptons was soe carried to Leadehill for £3-6s-9d and this will bee better & quicker dispatch both for them & the Bellus then via Leith at as small charge. I desire you will send mee the figure of one of the smelt mills with 2 harths at Newcastle with yr directions about it, and if it bee not very difficult worke you need not bee at the extraordinary charge of bringing a Mill-wright from Newcastle for heare I can have an enginious Mill wright will goe thither for 2s 6d per diem or his men for 18d; send yr best directions how its to be built & I shall advise with him. hee is reputed the best in Scotland for Walke mills & Cornemills & informe him but what should bee donne, and hee will performe; My Lord would have us take the Roome againe but haveing lost almost the whole rent I will not take it againe but am endeavouring to gett my Lord a good Tennant, who will give as much rent as usuall in the Countrey & as such land gives for the somer grass. The Lord Chancellor & Earle of Queensberry are said will part for London next weeke. I am sorry you cannot bee at Wanlock sooner then May but beginning next Month Ile goe and <pt> a hagg & order the cutting of wt is needfull for our present use; and stay their some tyme, being all the needfull at prsent from 

      Sr yr most humble svnt.  



[Annotated on cover:] Double of a lre [letter] to Mr Blackett anent the leadmynes & harth from Newcastle