Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 17 Feb 1801

Mrs. Beaumont					Newcastle  17th. Feb.y 1801

under Cover to Coln. Beaumont

Portman Square London.			



Dear Madam

      I have the Honour of your Letter of the 12th. inst. on which day I wrote to you. – I send you inclosed Copy of my Letter to Mr Bell respecting Hexham Tithes, and his Answer; there certainly is some Reason in his Objection to the Mode that I proposed, as in Case of any of the Proprietors or their Neighbours refusing to take their Tithes at the rate set on them, you would be under the Necessity of drawing them, which would not only be attended with a good deal of Trouble and Expence, but in the Situation in which Colonel Beaumnt is, might be looked on, in an invidious Light; at the same time I think it would be advisable to have a fair Value set on the Tithes, whether they are let for one, or three Years, with a resonable Allowance in the Price for the Trouble &c. and that the present Tenants may have an Offer of them on a Stipulation that each Proprietor shall have an Offer of his Tithe at a reasonable rate, this mode would I think obviate Mr. Bell’s Objection. – I shall be happy to hear that this finds Colonel Beaumont safe arrived from Ireland & in good health. – I am glad that you gave Mr. G. Silvertop the Answer you did; I have for some time past suspected the Cause of the Rent of Stella grand Lease Colliery being withheld; Mr. Mulcaster and I have been with Mr. Heron to advise with him what Steps are proper to be taken on the Occasion of his Claim on the Winlaton Lands, as well as your Demand on him for the Arrears of Rent of the Colliery.-

      I received the enclosed Letter and Proposals from Mr. <T.> Simpson Lessee under Greenwich Hospital of the gray mare Colliery, from which Dukesfield has been supplied with Coals and Cinders to the amount annually of from 3 to £400 -; the terms that he Offers are I think very high, and which I would not for many reasons recommend to you and Coln. Beaumont; the Coals from Mr. R. Surtees’s Colliery at Medomsley from whence Dukesfield has annually had to the Amount of from 1 to £200; is a few Miles further distant, but the Quality of them are infinitely preferable, I am told that one fother of Medomsley is nearly equal to three of the former for the Works; besides they will I hope in the Course of a Year be supplied from Stublock Colliery, on which Accounts I would recommend that Mr. Simpson’s Offer be rejected.-

      I observe what you say respecting the Use of quick Lime in the Mine in <Aid.> of Gunpowder; I have heard that it has in some Parts been made use of for the Purpose, but it has not been the Practice in your Mines; however I shall be glad if you could procure some further Particulars in Writing from the Gentlemen you mention. I am &c J.E.B.