Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 14 Nov 1782

Sir Thomas Blackett Barot                                                        Newcastle   14th Novr 1782

      Bretton  



Dr Sir

	I answered Mr Bosvilles Letter from Wardrew with respect to Mr Danoot.  I have not the least doubt of that Gentleman being a Capital Merchant & perfectly safe to have any transactions with but for the Reasons I gave you in my former Letter we have always thought it adviseable not to interfere with the Merchants of this place in the Commissions for Lead etc.  Carr and Widdrington have since had some Lead from me for Messrs Danoot.  Your Leadmines are pretty much in the same state they have been for some time.  Weardale is but poor except that part called Wolfcleugh which is doing well.  At Allanheads the Level which has been going forward these 18 Months & will be Completed by Xmas will lay dry some of the best Workings where they have been drown’d out & save the great Expense of Pumping etc.  I am in hopes those Mines will raise a Considerable Quantity of Ore next Year.

	Coalcleugh is likewise doing very well but I have not heard any thing more of the new Vein that has been discovered since I wrote you.  The present price of Lead is as follows, Common at 17 1/2  Refined 17 3/4  p Fother & Litharge 18 p Ton.  I believe I shall sell Mr Hall & Mr Blackett 5 or 6000 ps Lead before Chrmas which is as much as I can part with reserving a Sufft Quantity for keeping the Refinery at Blaydon at Work till May & some little for the Demands from abroad.  Mr Rastrick is preparing the Stones Timber etc to enable him to go forward with the Wind Mill early in the Spring.  Instead of having the Mill in the Place that was at first proposed it is to be in the Field oposite the Smelt Mill.          I am etc     JEB