Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Mark Skelton – 9 Aug 1795

M Skelton Esqr                                                                                    NewCastle  9th Augt 1795

           Birthwaite Hall  near Wakefield



Dear Sir	The hurry of our Assize week & some disturbance at present amongst the Keelmen prevented me replying sooner to your favour of the 31st Ulto.  The Accounts sent you would I think explain pretty near what was due to Coll Beaumont as Executor, the other Accounts you desire shall be sent to you & as soon as I can make a calculation of the time that the several payments will become due for the Lead sold you shall be informed of the same.

	The late Spring, the scarsity of Hay & Corn & consequent bad condition of the Lead Carriage Horses, prevented our getting down the Lead to Markett; at this time we want about 10,000 p[iece]s of Lead of the quantity that I have sold; so that notwithstanding the brisk demand there is at present for Lead, any sales that I could make at this time would not become due a day sooner, as the Lead (or a great part of it) is not down at Markett; I have repeatedly wrote to Mr Isaac Hunter to hasten it down, even if there should be a necessity of paying something more at this time, & as a further encouragement to the Carriers I have promised them payment at Mart[inmas]s instead of May;

	In July I made Sales of 20,000 p[iece]s of Lead at £16 per Fo[dde]r: the payments for which will be due the 8th Jany next   I have lately sold some small quantities at £17 per Fo[dde]r & I hope to have it in my power next Month to sell a large quantity at that price, or possibly at an advance.

	I shall meet Coll Beaumont at Alnwick on Friday, the day of Election, & we are not apprehensive of any Opposition.  I am much concerned for the Melancholy fate of poor John Depledge, & feel much for his Relations; I have not seen either the Colonel or Mrs Beaumont since that unfortunate event.

                                                         I am with Esteem Dear Sir  Yours Sincerely

                                                                                                         J E Blackett



The Lead Co Sold 20,000 p[iece]s Lead in April or May last for £14 per Fo[dde]r.

Sunday Evening.  A Servant of Coll Beaumont has just now been with me to inform me that the body of poor John Depledge is found & for Instructions where to go for the Coroner; this unfortunate affair you must be sensible will hurt distress Coll & Mrs Beaumont very much.