Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 28 Aug 1803

Mrs. Beaumont under Cover to 					Newcastle Augt. 28th. 1803.

Colonel Beaumont Worthing, Sussex.                                         



Dear Madam

       I am favoured with your Letter of the 23d. Inst. & observe what you say respecting Mr. Burdon’s Application to you & Col: Beaumt. I think what he proposes is most unreasonable after having so large a Sum locked up by their Means,  to offer you Security for the greater part of the Debt at a Time when they must be sensible of having put you to the greatest Inconvenience; it is certainly very ill usage; I do not apprehend that they will make a Payment for some Time, and their first will be their taking up their Notes in Circulation at 5 per] Cent Interest.

       A Meeting of the Creditors of Easterby Hall & Co. was held yesterday, the Resolutions of which you have inclosed; another Meeting will be held on Saturday the 3d. Sepr.;  Mr. Walton is very  sanguine on their paying the whole in twenty-one Months with Int[eres]t. on the same.   T.Crawhall returned from the Mines on Friday last; the Workmen were all peaceably at work & very well satisfied; what Mr. Cockshutt said to them on the Enormity of the Offence of stopping the Works, had a very good Effect; his Advice & Recommendation to them will be sent to the several Agents, & I have no Doubt that when he writes he will send you a Copy of it; he left this Place this Morning, being sent for by Mr. Wortley, who he is engaged with in a Corps of Yeomanry.   By this Post I have remitted a Bill to Ransom Morland & Co., for £4,454 -11 -11 which will be due in seven Weeks.

       The London Houses are in Want of Lead, & as the East India Contracts will be made about the middle of next Month, I expect soon to have Applications, and shall be happy if the present Prices can be supported.   I am &c. J.E.B.