Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 24 Dec 1800

Mrs. Beaumont					Newcastle 24 Decr. 1800

Bretton, Wakefield Yorkshire



Dear Madam

      I am favoured with your Letter of the 18th. inst. and I hope that long before this reaches you, that you had a good Account of Coln. Beaumont & that he is in good Health in Ireland.   I observe what you say respecting the Steel Hall Estate, which you have given up all thoughts of purchasing. Mr. Hunter & Mr. Anthy. Surtees have been informed of this Resolution, in Consequence of which that Estate will be advertised & every necessary Measure taken towards promoting the Sale of it, & enabling Mr. Hunter to discharge the Debt of £900. – I shall meet the Lead Agents at Hexham on Monday 29th. inst. when I shall have some Discourse with Mr. Hunter and Mr. Bell respecting the Business of Dukefield Dam, & I will strongly recommend that Mr Hunter shall as soon as possible, carry into Execution what his late Father had engaged to do respecting this Matter. – Mr. Bell has been wrote to about the Pavement of a part of the Stable Yard, but I will explain that Matter to him fully on Monday. What Mr. Bowns requires of Messrs. Surtees Burdon & Co. will be complied with. – I send you enclosed a Copy of Mr. C. Blackett’s Letter to Messrs. <Pigons> & Andrews, & their Answer; I shall wait for your and Coln. Beaumont’s Directions in this Matter, but I shall direct the Lead Agents not to order any more Gunpowder from Mr. Wakefield until this Business has been considered, & I have your Answer.- 

      General Grant has been in this Place a few Days in his Way to Town, I called on him Yesterday & was glad to see him look so well. – I am &c. J.E.B.



The Gentlemen of the Law were to have met Yesterday in this Town respecting the Harehope Gill Business. but I believe that the Meeting is postponed till the. 26th inst.