Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Emerson – 15 Feb 1800

Mr. Thos. Emerson Jr.							Newcastle 15th. Feb.y 1800

Newhouse Weardale



Mr. Thos. Emerson Jr.

      I am sorry to hear that your Father is thought to be in so dangerous a Way but I hope that he may recover.   The Revd. Mr. Wilson has made Application to me to know on what Terms Coln. Beaumont would grant a Lease of Pike Stone Lead Mine, to a Gentleman of respectability; I desire that you & Mr. Crawhall will give me your Opinion how far you both think that it would be for Coln. Beaumonts Interest to grant such Lease, & bring another Concern so near his own & let me know if you are not at present working there? or have let a Bargain, If it should be thought promising by others why not work it on Coln. Beaumonts Account?   I understand that the Bishop of Durham will not give his Consent to the Division of the Commons but on Condition that a Chapel be built & endowed & that he would do his part towards it, In the first Place I do not understand that a Chapel in that part is wanted, there being St. Johns Chapel &c besides several Desenting Meeting Houses, in the next I do not see that it is incumbent on Colonel Beaumont to contribute towards such Erection or Endowment, the Mines that he rents being so very heavily loaden with Dues to the Church.

      When the Kiln dried Barley Arrives you shall have some which will make good Bread either alone or mixt with rye or soft wheat.   I am &c J.E.B.



I observe that you have already Got Considerably above your Proportion Of the Rye sent from hence