Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 2 May 1802

									Newcastle 2nd. May 1802

Dear Madam

      I have the favour of your letter of the 28th ulto. & observe what you say respecting a dissolution of Parliament; you may be assured that I shall not mention the circumstance tho I am of opinion that that [sic] it will scarce take place so soon as spoke of; I have not heard the least hint of any Opposition being intended for the County of N[orthumberlan]d, nor has Mr. C Blackett who was at Morpeth Sessions on Thursday last; neither have I heard any report of a third Person being to start for the County of Durham nor do I give any credit to it, but I am quite of your & Col. Beaumonts opinion, to keep disengaged from any Promise (except to your Friend Sir Ralph Milbank) for the reason that you mention. I have no idea that you can command nigh the number of Votes that you mention but it certainly will be advisable that Mr. Emerson should be informed of your Wish in that Matter, which shall be done tomorrow when he & the other Stewards come down for Subsistence Money for the Workmen, & to bring their Pay Bills for examination. The <Hawk> Packet is expected to arrive tomorrow when your directions shall be strictly followed with respect to the three Boxes or Packages.

      May 3rd. I kept my letter open until I had seen your Mine Stewards that I may give you some information respecting the state of them; the Workings in Weardale except Breckonsike & Puddingthorn are in general Poor as you may observe by the reduced quantity of Ore wrought the last year & I fear the present prospect does not improve, Coalcleugh is in general poor, & will fall short at least 1000 Bin[g]s of the former year; Allenheads I hope will improve, a few days since another <Floot> of Ore was discovered to the East of the former which is very promising the most so of any yet found & I hope it may produce a considerable quantity of Ore & a strong leading Vein in fresh ground.

      I have had some discourse with Mr. Emerson on the subject before mentioned & given him the necessary caution respecting the Voters.

      I now ask £27 per Fod. for refined Lead.

      General & Mrs. Murray desire their best respects to you & Colonel Beaumont. My Daughter Collingwood unites with me in best respects to you both & I am Dear Madam Your Faithfull & most Obedient Servant

      John E. Blackett



If Col. Beaumont has Mrs. Forsters Bond (on wch. £520. – besides the Interest remains due) he will please to send it me; I thought that he had left it with Mr. Bell, but he denies ever having had it.

Instead of an Illumination on account of the Peace there has been a Collection from House to House to be applied to the Publick Charities, I have taken the liberty to subscribe two Guineas for Col Beaumont for the House & Offices.