Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Mark Skelton – 29 Sep 1793

M Skelton Esqr                                                                                Newcastle  29th Septr 1793

      Birthwaite Hall  near Wakefield  Yorkshire



Dr Sir	I am favoured with your letter of the 23d inst and observe the Contents.  I wrote to Mr Beaumont the 22nd & 25 inst to which I refer you.  I send you inclosed a Copy of the Account of the late John Hall in Answer to your query as to the Account _ Mr Heron will procure a Copy of the Will of the late Dr Hall.  I agree with you that it would be fortunate if we could make out that Dr Hall was merely an Agent of Lancaster & Co but I much fear that the manner in which that business has been for some Years carried on & in the mode of keeping the Accounts will be an Argument against us & I find that Mr Williamson & Mr Heron are both of that Opinion; however I think the Point should not be given up, & that the mode which you recommend (which by Mr Heron’s letter seems to agree with his Opinion) should be pursued, for it certainly will be very hard (& by no means equitable) that so large a Sum as is due to Mr Beaumont should go among the Creditors of the late Dr Hall.  The Committee that undertook to examine into the state of the Affairs of Mr Hall & Co have not yet made their report, but it is expected that it will soon be laid before a General meeting of the Creditors.  I imagine that Mr Beaumonts Bankers have Credited his Account for £2000 which was paid into their Hands by Smith Payne & Smiths which clears up the Matter that you mention _ Mr Beaumonts Stewards have been wrote to according to your desire & a Copy of the Form of a Rental sent them which they are directed for the future to follow

	On Friday last I sold Messrs Hewitson of this place (Agent for the Lead Company) for the House of Lancaster & Co 150 Casks of Litharge at £17 per Ton Mr Hewitson is I believe a very safe man & altho’ it will be Advisable that precautions should be used as to the Security, Care must be taken at this time that any change that may be made in the mode may not effect the claim which Mr Beaumont may have on Lancaster & Cos  I hope to have an Answer from Mr Beaumont to the letter that I wrote him respecting the Applications that have been made to me by Mr C Blackett & Walker & Co                                                  I am etc  J.E.B