Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Joseph Wilkinson – 21 Mar 1787

Joseph Wilkinson Esqr.                                                         Newcastle    March 21st.. 1787

Hull



Sir       Your favour of the 14th inst I received & note the Contents.  Sometime before your Application to me I had Offer made for the first quantity of Lead that I have to dispose of which I declined Accepting of, at the same time I continued to Supply Walker’s Fishwick & Co’s White & Red Lead Works with small quantities from time to time at the Market Prices as I engaged with them to do; I have upwards of 8000 Ps. of the Quantity sold last Year, yet to come down  there is none at this Market at present; Sir Thos. Blackett’s Quantity this Year will be smaller & the rest of the Lead Mines in this Country are much fail’d, on which account I cannot give you an Offer of the first Parcel.  I differ with you in Opinion as to the cause of the present Advance of Price being Solely owing to the opposition of the Buyers in London, they may in some measure have contributed to it, but the demand from abroad for Lead, as well as for White & Red Lead is I believe the principal cause of it, nor do I think that there will be any danger in supporting the present Price or even a greater.  I am much obliged to you for your offer of Service at your Place.                                   I am etc    J. E. B.