Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Mark Skelton – 19 Nov 1793

M Skelton Esqr                                                                                Newcastle  19th Novr 1793

      Birthwaite Hall near Wakefield   Yorkshire



Dear Sir	I have your favour of the 17th inst and observe the Contents _ I have not yet rec[eiv]ed from the Lead Stewards the Rental of the several Estates under their Management that you were desirous of having; nor have I got their Calculation of the Amount of the next pays for the several Lead Mines and Mills, it must be a very rough Guess for at present they cannot form a Judgement with any tolerable degree of exactness of w[ha]t the Amount may be; the Stewards have been again wrote to and when I receive those Accounts they shall be forwarded to you, Mr Heron is still in London and probably may remain there sometime; he is desired to consult with Mr Williamson and acquaint you what steps will be the most advisable to be taken respecting Mrs Hall & Co _ I immagine they delay giving any Opinion as to the Matter till after the last examination of the Halls which will be the beginning of Decemr but I will have some Conversation with Mr Williamson on the Subject.

	As to the matter which you mention respecting the Surplus Money aris[in]g from those Estates that Mr Beaumont may dispose off after payment for the Estate purchas’d of Mr Cotton; I have not the least objection to that Sum remaining in the hands of Mr Beaumont untill a suitable purchase can be made agreeable to his wish.

	The only Sales that I have made since my last have been some small parcells of Litharge & 600 p[iece]s Lead for Walkers & Cos Works at the last prices; the London Houses decline purchasing a further Quantity at present; there is no demand for the Continent, & it is too late in the Season for any from the East.                 I am etc   J.E.B