Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 18 Oct 1778

Sir Thos Blackett Barot at Bretton                                                   Newcas 18th Octor 1778

     near Wakefield Yorkshire



Dear Sir

	Your Agent Mr Isaac Hunter & Mr Bates have been looking over the two Farms at Winlaton & inclosed you have a Copy of their Valuation & likewise Mr Browns Valuation of three acres of young Oak Wood as it stands at present.  Your Lead Agents are of opinion that these Farms are not necessary for the carrying on your Lead Concerns.  Sir Thos Clavering & Mr Simpson are both desirous to know the Value you set on these Farms but before you make any offer to Sir T Clavering it is adviseble that Liberty should be granted by him for a Water Course through a small Field to your Lead Mill if necessary and Mr Simpson must be informed that the Parkhead Farm is Subject to the Annual Payment of £2-0s-0d to Mr Eyre.

	As we have not heard from Mr Eyre or his Agent Mr Gibson (who undertook to write to him with respect to the proposals for the Colliery) Mr Wilson wrote a few days since to Mr Eyre on that Business.  Mr Wilson informed me that he had an offer of £3000 at 4 3/4  p Ct which he had wrote to you about.  I think you might take it & pay off that Sum to the Bank.  There is no Demand for Lead at present.

	I have lately been in Treaty with Dr Hall for 10000 pieces but he would not buy unless I dropt the Price considerably wch I do not at present think it advisable to do.  You have at present at Blaydon 18000 ps and there are about 30,000 ps belonging to the other Lead Owners which is a very large quantity at this Season of the Year.  Should we have dry Weather I hope to get 3 or 4000ps more of refineable Lead down to Blaydon before the Lead Carriage are off as that Quantity will be necessary to keep the Refinery at Work till May.  I Yesterday sold Mr Jonah Sorsbie 2000ps Lead; one half refined at £13 a Fother.

	I have lately been applied to by some Persons who are erecting a Work for making of White Lead.  I am told they are people of property & should we agree on Terms they may take a large Quantity of your Lead

                                                    I am etc      JEB