Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 18 May 1804

Mrs Beaumont under Cover to					Newcastle 18thMay 1804

Colonel Beaumont Portman Square, London

				

Dear Madam.

      I am favoured with your letter of the 13th Inst, I will endeavour to procure Bills for the Lead sold, which shall be immediately remitted to Messrs Glyn & Co. on your Acco[unt] advising you of the same. The Bills of Easterby & Halls remitted that Bank the 5th Inst amounting to £4,423-14-1; they offered to discount (but not to give Bank Notes for the same) & after being in my Hands some Days, on their not coming forward, I remitted accordingly; they now promise to allow Discount on the same for which your Account will be credited.

	I send you enclosed the State of the several Lead Pays, with an Acc[oun]t of the Sums for which I may have Occasion to draw on Messrs Glyn & Co & the Dates. The Cash by Mr Hay amounting £719-10/- & the Sum you noticed, will be very serviceable in making the Pay; the Silver is not yet arrived, nor have I heard any Thing of the Vessel which surprises me, as the wind for some Days has been fair; I have before said that I much disapproved of the Defence made by the Lawyers on your part to the Bishops Bills; I remain of that Opinion. I have not made any further Sale of Lead since my last Letter nor indeed have I expected to sell any considerable Quantity; the Situation of this Country at present is not favourable to it: The Lead from Wales, which answers most of the Purposes of the Manufacturers is selling at present at £25 the Ton; neither is there any Demand for Lead for the Russia Market at present Prices: Mr Paris’s Friend Mr Irving has answered my Letter saying ‘your Prices are greatly beyond my Expectations and entirely preclude the Prospect of any Dealing’. These matters considered; the large quantities of Lead you have at Market; more coming down soon; small quantities in other Hands who must be under a necessity of selling etc. taking all those Things into Consideration, you & Colonel Beaumont will judge how far it may be advisable to reduce the Price, provided you could be certain of making a considerable Sale.

	The Ref[ine]d Lead you mention shall be sent by the first Vessel for Hull advising Mr Hall of the same. I really do not see how you could well (with the Property you have in Willington Lordship & the Works at Blaydon) avoid subscribing to the Derwent Volunteers; I shall accordingly desire Mr Thomas to subscribe in Colonel Beaumont’s Name £20.

T. Crawhall met the Lead Agents at Hexham on Tuesday last with Subsistence Money for the workmen; Allenheads Mines were much in the same state I last advised you, I send you enclosed the state of those at Coalcleugh & Weardale.

	The N[ew]Castle Volunteers are at present on permanent Duty, T. Crawhall has these two days on Guard, Harry goes on Duty on Sunday for three Weeks. I have three Clerks at my Felling Office likewise engaged in this Duty which is rather hard on an old Invalid.

      I am etc. J.E.B.