Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 23 Jan 1786

Sir Thos. Blackett  Bart.                                              Newcastle    Jany.  23rd  1786

Bretton - Yorkshire



Dear Sir       I received Mr Noble’s letter & am very sorry to hear that you have been so poorly Indisposed,  I have been Confined to the House these ten days, & to my bed for some days, with a violent Rheumatick Complaint in my back, I am still very lame.

     The late Floods have done a great deal of damage at Allenheads, the River by Changing the Course got into an old Shaft near the Smelt Mill wch, soon fill’d the Old Level & by a Communication with the new Level fill’d the Present Working so suddenly, that it was with difficulty that eight Men were saved; this Accident will lay off the Works for near three Months, will be attended with some Additional expense to you, & will be a great loss to the Poor Workmen who are laid off their Bargains.  I have wrote to Mr Westgarth Forster  to loose no time in clearing the Workings, so that the Men may be employed.   At present there is no demand for Lead, & except a few hundred Pieces I have made no Sales since I saw you, the present Prices are £16.5.-  & £16.10.0.  £17.10.0 for Litharge. I wish we may be able to Support these Prices when the new Lead comes to Market.        I am etc    J. E. Blackett