Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to James Cockshutt – 7 Dec 1801

James Cockshutt Esqr.				Newcastle 7th. Decemr. 1801

Huthwaite near Barnsley				



Dr. Sir

      I am favoured with your Letter of the 1st. inst. & observe the Contents.-

      Inclosed I send you the Amount paid for Timber Iron &c. for the several Mines & Lead Mills of Colonel & Mrs. Beaumont for three Years past, with the Prices paid to enable him to form a Judgement how far it may be advisable for them to import a Cargo of square Timber, Deals & Iron from Rusia.-

      Thos. Crawhall will be at the Mines &c. next week, and will endeavour to inform himself from the several Smiths of the Quantity of Iron they may have Occasion for the ensuing Year, and the Assortment.-

      I have not a Doubt that an Importation of the kind may be a considerable Saving, in the first Instance, but whether the Loss by a part of the Timber & Iron not suiting for the Purposes for which they may be wanted, may not counter-balance the former Advantage, I cannot judge but an Experiment of the kind will be worth making, and when T. Crawhall returns you shall hear from me further on the Subject; Mr. Mulcaster & Mr. Crawhall will be ready to answer the Questions which you may put to them in the most satisfactory Manner in their Power & will be much obliged to you for any Information which you may please to give them.-

      I shall not come into your Neighbourhood without waiting on you & seeing your Works, & I shall be happy in seeing you again in the North & shewing you the great Iron Works carried on by Fishwick & Co. a few Miles up this River, it is thought that from the very great Expence attending them, they cannot answer. – I am &c. - -J.E.B.