Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 24 Sep 1784

Sir Thomas Blackett Bart                                                      Newcastle       Septr 24th 1784

    Bretton  Yorkshire



Dear Sir

	I expect that this may find you returned from your Tour of the Lakes & I hope that you & the Young Ladies have been agreeably Entertain’d.  Inclosed I send you Messrs Bell Carr & Cos Bill on Castell & Co of this date at One Month for £2000 the Receipt of which you will please acknowledge.  I have had some Conversation with Mr Heron respecting the Business that we talk’d with Mr Bell about at Hexham; Mr Heron undertakes to Proceed against Mr Errington at the next Term every thing Necessary being prepared for that Purpose; Proper Steps will likewise be taken against Mrs Charlton with respect to the enclosure, & her Refusal of the Payment of Acre Money; and also against Thos Chatt of Dotland for Pulling Ling on Greenridge Moor, & carrying it of the Premises without liberty from you or your Agents.  I am sorry to inform you that the Price of Lead is falling, the last Parcell sold was 2000 Ps of Messrs Monkhouse & Hoppers at £16.7.6 Common £16.12.6 Refin’d.  I had refused that Price expecting that Dr Hall wou’d take 20,000 Ps at £16.10.0 and £16.15.0 P For for Messrs Lancaster & Co but on receiving their Answer, they declin’d making any further Purchase having lately Contracted for 30,000 Ps of the Lead Company, & at Stockton, & a Considerable Quantity in other parts; I then made Mr C Blackett an offer of 10,000 Ps for Messrs Freemens & Mr Preston at £16.7.6 & £16.12.6 he accepts of 5,000 on those Terms, but wou’d not go further: I was desirous of Selling 20,000 Ps for I now apprehend that it will be lower for there is no demand at present; the late Duty on Lead has certainly had a great Affect on the Price, & must give the Scotch a very undue Preference, they being Exempt from the late, as well as from the Old duty on Exportation.                       I am etc         J E Blackett





                       £2000                     Newcastle Bank        24th Septr 1784

                          One Month after Date pay to the Order of John Erasmus

                         Blackett Esqr  Two Thousand pounds           Value received

                                                                  For Bell Carr Cookson Widdrington Co

To Messrs Castell Powell Sumner & Co                                                Thos Gibson

                             London                    Pay the Contents to the Order of Sir Thos

No 4944                                                 Blackett  Bart  Value in Account

                                                                                                      J E B