Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 25 Aug 1803

Mrs Beaumont under Cover to				Newcastle 25th. August 1803.

Colonel Beaumont

				

Dear Madam

       I wrote to you the 21st. & 22d. Inst. I now enclose you under two Covers a Copy of the Report made by the Persons that went to Arkendale to take a View of those Mines, & likewise Calculations formed by the Committee thereon; as well as the Proposals of Easterby Hall & Co.; the Report appears to be very favourable, & altho’ there may have been more Money expended in the several Works than were absolutely necessary, yet the Reporters are of Opinion that it has not been thrown away & that the several Works are the most compleat of their kind, that they were examined, & that the Works have been conducted in a very judicious Manner; Mr. Walton is in high Spirits on the Occasion, he & Mr. Hopper &c. are of Opinion that were the Effects &c to come to the Hammer, they would not go for half their Value, & that the Loss to the Creditors in Consequence must be very considerable; they likewise are strongly of Opinion & recommend that the Works may go forward by the Company under the same Management &c. subject to the Inspection & Control of a Committee of the Creditors & their Agents, by this Method there appears to be every Reason to believe that the Debts of the Company with Interest thereon may be paid off in the Course of two Years, & that in Case of any other Measure being pursued, that the Loss to the Creditors must be very heavy; the Lease of the Lords of Arkendale to their Lessees is laid before Mr. H. Williamson for his Opinion, & there is to be another Meeting of the Committee of the Creditors on Saturday next.  – I was at a Meeting of the Creditors of Losh Lubbren & Co. on Tuesday last & I am sorry to inform you that it is thought that their Affairs will turn out very ill: I herewith enclose an Affidavit for Col: Beaumont, to be taken by him before some Master in Chancery as to the Truth &c. Attorneys are generally Masters in Chancery; when taken please to return it.-

       Mr. Thomas has been with me & informs me that Capt. Carr of Hexham was much pleased with your Attention to the Corps, & will let you know when the Colours will be wanted; a Subscription for the Purpose of finding the Uniform of the Volunteres &c. is set on Foot at Hexham & the Neighbourhood of which Captn. Carr will write to Colonel Beaumont or you.   

       I am &c. J.E.B.