Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 8 Dec 1782

Sir Thomas Blackett Barot                                                          Newcastle   8th Decemr 1782

        at Bretton  



Dr Sir

	I received your favour of the 29th Ulto & observe the Contents.  

	Mr Bell came over here on Monday & after having a Meeting with Mr Wilson & talking over the Affair of the Weardale Mines very fully Mr Bell went next day to Durham, had some conversation with Mr Robson who informed him that Mr Dew the Bishops Principal Agent at Auckland was the proper Person to treat with, he accordingly went there & waited upon Mr Dew who gave him the Terms for a Renewal of the Lease of the Lands at Lintzgarth Kilhope & Weardale which you have at Foot; after which he repeated his Surprise that you had taken no Steps towards a Renewal of the Leases of the Mines.  Mr Bell told him you had made an offer of a Sum to the Bishop which after mature Consideration with your Agents etc was thought to be fully adequate to the Advantage of the Renewal of the Lease & that you could not think of complying with the Bishops Demands.  Mr Dew said he thought the Bishop was by no means unreasonable in fixing the Fine at 1500 Guineas which he said was the Sum named to Mr Wilson the last Time he saw him.  Mr Bell told him you should be made acquainted with these Terms & that an Answer should be given him with respect to the Mines as well as the Lands.  Mr Dew was desirous of an early Answer & proposed going for London the next day.  As this is a matter of very great Consequence to you the Business cannot be carried forward so well by Letter I propose if you have no Objection being at Bretton on Wednesday the 18th instt & staying with you three Days.  Mr Wilson declares he has not had any Conversation with Mr Dew since he was with me at Auckland in 1777 so that Mr Dew must be mistaken as to his mentioning the matter of the Fine to Mr Wilson & I am Confident that neither Mr Dew nor any other Person concerned in the Bishops Affairs ever acquainted me that the Bishop would accept 1500 Guins as a fine for the Renewal of the Mine Leases.                                            I am etc                JEB



Lives in the Leases of Lintzgarth, Kilhope & Welhope

   Ralph Son of Robt Clarke Officer in the Customs at Stockton or Hull about 64 Years of Age

   George Robson Steward to Sir Ralph Milbank of Halnaby about 39 Years of Age



                                                   £. s. d

Lintzgarth One Life in the Room of Sr Wr Blackett 14. 0. 0

           Exchange of Clarkes Life                7. 0. 0

                                                  21. 0. 0



                                                   £. s. d

Kilhope & Welhope  One Life in the room of        86.19.10

                       Sir Walter Blackett

                   Exchange of Clarkes Life       43. 9.11

                                                           130.9.9