Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Joseph Walker – 12 Dec 1786

Joseph Walker Esqr.                                                         Newcastle    Decem.  12th. 1786

Rotheram    Yorkshire



Dear Sir       I have been from home for a few days & at my return I found your favour of the 3rd inst.  I observe that Mr Fishwick has inform’d you that a mistake has arisen between him & myself respecting a late Contract for Lead; & he is likewise Apprehensive that my behaviour to him is not so frank & open as usual; As to the first Charge I admit that there was a mistake, but it was on his side, he Applied to me for some Lead for your Works & was desirous of having a larger Parcel that usual, he named 3000 Ps., I told him that I could not let him have that Quantity till I had seen Sir Thos. Blacketts Agent at the Refinery, wch. I did a day or two after & finding I could not accommodate him with that Quantity.  I directed my Clerk to acquaint him with the same, & sent him an Order for 1500 Ps. the Price of wch. was the same that I had sold for ten days before Mr Fishwick’s Application to me. 

     As to there being any alteration in my behaviour to Mr Fishwick, I do assure you that there is no foundation for such supposition; neither have I the least reason to find fault with him or any of the Concern, on the contrary the Business wch. has been transacted between us, has been on an open & liberal footing, & I hope to the mutual advantage of both, & I assure you that it shall not be my fault if there should be any interruption to it.    As I have not yet Completed the last Sales that I made, I cannot at present sell any Lead for the London Market nor can I ingage the refusal of the next Parcel.                             I am etc    J. E. Blackett