Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 6 Aug 1788

Sir Thomas Blackett  Bart.                                              Newcastle    6th.  Augt.  1788

Bretton - Yorkshire



Dear Sir      Inclosed I send you a Bill drawn by Eden Ridley & Co. on Castell & Co. dated 5th  inst. at a Month for Two Thousand Pounds, the receipt of which you will please Acknowledge.  Your Lead Stewards were with me Yesterday for Subsistence for the Workmen; The Mines continue much in the same state Wolfcleugh not quite so good but Forster is hopes that he may recover the Vein again    I have not sold any Lead since you left the North except for a few small Parcells, there is little or no demand for it at present, but as the Ships for India will be taken up soon, I am in hopes that we shall have a demand, but I am very doubtfull of being able to support the Present Price, however I do not think it advisable to make the London Buyers any Offers at this time, but rather wait for the Proposals coming from them they complain of losing 2o/s p For. by the last Lead they bought  -  Mr Walker’s of Rotheram are at this town at present, they, Mr Maltby & Mr Fishwick dine with me on this day.  The Books are ready for Mr Noble Junr. who I expect will be here in a few days.

You will observe by the Accounts sent you of the Profits of the Mines & last year, that Allenheads Cost £909.16.10 notwithstanding the high price of Lead.  I have talk’d with Mr Forster on the Subject & I think have convinced him of his erronious Calculations, he is in hope of those Mines doing better this Year & promises to exert himself for the Purpose.  Poor Thos. Westgarth died the last week; I hope that a skilfull sober person may be met with to succeed him as second Agent at Allenheads for Forster’s Son is certainly too Young for 2nd Agent, & Archer the Woodman (who has assisted since the illness of Thos. Westgarth) is not equal to the charge                                                   I am etc   J. E. B.





             £2000 .                               Newcastle Bank  5th.  Augt.  1788

             One Month after date pay to the Order of John

             Erasmus Blackett Esq.  Two Thousand Pounds                   Value received

                                   For Sir J. Eden  Sir MW. Ridley Cookson Widdrington & Co

                                                                                                 Jas. Wilkinson.           

                                                                             Pay the Contents to the order of Sir Thomas

                                                                             Blackett Bart.    Value  in Acct.         

                                                                                            John E. Blackett