Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 4 Apr 1804

								Newcastle April 4th. 1804

Dear Madam

      The Commissioners for carrying into execution the Property Tax etct for Darlington Ward have lately given us infinite trouble by peremptorily insisting on a return being made to them of the Profits arising from the mines in Weardale, alleging that the return we had made was not in compliance with the Act and was unfair; which illiberal measure I look upon is owing to Mr. Mowbray one of the Commissioners. we have accordingly prepared a return, but by the advice of Mr.Heron who is Clerk to the Commissioners at this place have postponed sending it until he has an answer from the Board of Taxes respecting the Grand offices for their Collieries, they being in a similar situation.

      I observe by your letter of the 31st. that you expect to have some conversation with Mr. Davidson respecting the Lead Pay, and that he does not appear pleased that we should continue to have any Acct. with a Newcastle Bank. In a former letter I acquainted you that the Money resting in that Bank with payments we expected to receive for Lead, would barely answer to make the Pay for the Lead, the Subsistence due this Month, the Income Tax and other payments, and that from this time all payments for Lead should be remitted to Mr. Davidson in Bills of as short date as I can procure. Had I remitted the amount to Mr. Davidson I must have drawn upon him at the same time when three Bills payble became due. The Account of payments for Lead shall be sent you in a post or two with the amount of the Lead Pay as near as we can calculate. I understood the Sums that Mr. Thomas might receive were to be remitted to you or your Bankers in London, but should you think proper that it should come into my account, I shall procure for it a Bill and remit it to Messrs. Davidson & Co. on your Account.

      It certainly will be more convenient for the Country that the Pays should be made on the 16th. 17th. & 18th. of May or the Week following. the reason I mentioned the 29  30th. & 31st. was for the purpose of accommodating Messrs. Davidson & Co. As we cannot expect much Gold for the Pay it will be very necessary that we should have a good supply of Silver, I wish you would mention this to Mr. Davidson. We should have from 300 to 500£ in Dollars & small silver.

      Since I wrote you last we have sold from 2 to 3000 Ps. Lead @ £30 & 31£ and I have no doubt that the Buyers must apply to purchase in the course of a fortnight as the London Market is bare, very little in Scotland and at Stockton and none at Hull.

      The Lead Co. had no concern with Easterby Hall & Co. but the Greenwich Hospital & Messrs. Hopper & Co. have both supplied their Works on the like terms that you have.

      Your Account with the Bank of Messrs. Ransom Morland & Hammersley was sent to Mr. Skelton and I presume will be in the hands of Mr. Bowns, when we discontinued keeping an Account with that Bank the business was done thro’ the House of Surtees Burdon. they have been desired to make out their Account with Messrs. Hammersley & Co. during that period, which when I have obtained shall be sent you.

      I am with best respects to yourself and Col. Beaumont  Dear Madam Your most Obedient and Faithful Servant

      John E. Blackett



We have had stormy weather for these ten days past with frost at night, a very <bad Seed> time, & a number of Sheep & Lambs have been lost.



Mrs. Beaumont