Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 19 Apr 1804

Mrs Beaumont under cover to 					Newcastle 19 April 1804

Colonel Beaumont Portman Square, London 



Dear Madam

      I wrote to you yesterday to which I refer you. With the kind assistance offered you by Sir R[ichar]d Glyn & Co I have no Doubt that the Lead Pay may be effected by the End of May the chief Difficulty will be the obtaining a sufficient Quantity of small Notes from the Bank of Loraine & Co or any other Bank, much the greater part of these Notes will come back to them for Payment in the Course of a very few Days, & Bills on London at ten Days sight would be objected to, tho’ at ten Days date they would not, besides the Banks at that Time as well as the present; so far from increasing their Circulation of Notes, they rather incline to lessen it, & the very Expense of the Stamps etc for that additional Number of Notes would be considerable, these reasons were alleged by Loraine & Co to the Bank of Davison & Co in a letter prior to theirs of the 28th February last. I expect in the Course of next Week to remit to Colonel Beaumont Bills on London for a considerable Amount, tho’ part may be at 2, 3, & 4 Months, for the Amount upwards of £4,000 of the Lead Pay, I could draw Bills at the Time of the Pay at a Months Date on Sir R[ichar]d Glyn & Co in Case I was permitted, which would be a Means of lessening the Sum to be procured at this Bank & likewise be a saving of a Month’s interest; we have upwards of £800 to pay the Bishop & Rector for Dues, it would be a Convenience (in Case Sir R[ichar]d Glyn& Co would permit me) to draw on them for the amount the end of next Week, at a Month’s Date, advising them of the same; please to mention this Matter to Sir R[ichar]d Glyn & Co &let me know their Answer.

	It was very fortunate that Mr Cockshutt was in Town at this Time, there could not be a Person more able & willing to render you every Service in his Power on the Occasion.

	I have just now Received your Letter of the 17th Inst & observe the Contents; I again repeat that I shall as soon as possible send up to Colonel Beaumont all the Bills that I can procure (tho’ some may be at a long Date) amounting I expect to upwards of £30,000. What you mention respecting the Purchase of Mr Hunter’s Estate shall be done. Mr Thomas is to be with me Tomorrow Morning when I shall have some Conversation with him about what you mention. It was Mr Bowes Attorney at Darlington, who is Clerk to the Commissioners on the Property Act, who threw that Reflection on you, respecting to having had a severe rap on the Knuckles on a former Occasion, the other very severe and most unjust Reflection on you & your Agents, was from the Reverend Mr Davison, who with others, you may observe by the enclosed, have given some Information to the Office for Taxes reflecting in the most false and shameful Manner on the Character of yourself & your Agents; it becomes highly necessary that this Matter should be cleared up to you satisfaction; & I would recommend that on Mr Heron’s return from Darlington, that you should go to the Office for Taxes taking Mr R. Wilson with you & having this Business cleared up to your Satisfaction & a proper Apology made to you. 	Mr C. Blackett resides at Wylam &  is not in Newcastle more than twice (sometimes thrice) a week for a few Hours, I have no Doubt that he would readily give me his Advice & I have sometimes Consulted him & may do on this Occasion tho’ I really do not see the Necessity of it as he can not give me any assistance except with regard to his Payments by Bills, however as you & the Colonel presses it so much, from a Supposition I suppose of my Inability or Inattention; I shall consult him & desire him to take this Business off my Hands.	

      I am etc. J.E.B.