Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 12 Mar 1793

Thomas Richd Beaumont Esqr                                                        Newcastle 12th March 1793

  Messrs Ransom Moreland & Co  Bankers   Pall Mall  London



Dear Sir	I had the favour of your Letter of the 4th inst which I postponed Answering untill I had seen your Lead Agents, & had some Conversation with them on the Subject of your Letter, which I have this day had respecting a division of a part of your Lordship which is about to take place, I desired they would give their Individual opinions how far that division may be likely to affect your Interest in the several points of view; they desire to have a few days to consider of the matter fully, & have promised to send me their several Opinions on the Subject, which when I receive shall be transmitted to you; I now inclose you Mr Bell’s lre [letter] to me with his observations on the matter, which appear to me to be Just; as to my opinion I cannot say more than I have done, That a General Division (taking it in every point of view) would be injurious to the Interest of your Concerns; how far this partial division may effect you, I cannot say, but leave it to the opinion of your Agents who should be more able to Judge of the Matter; As the Bill has already Passed I think that all that your Agents can do will be to take every possible Care that the Road may be laid out properly, so that your Interest may not be injured as to the Lead Carriage, the Bill appears to have provided against it in other Matters.  As to the Scheme of having a Way laid with Wood, or Cast Iron in the most impassible parts of the Road, your Agents as well as myself are of Opinion that the delay etc that it would occasion, as well as the Expence attending it, will render it almost impracticable, & that the repairing of those parts of the Road will be much more efficatious, & attended with considerable less Expence: The Agents for the Greenwich Hospl and those of the Lead Company are of the same opinion _ The Subscription for the intended Road from this place to Wolsingham, Stanhope & Aldstone being found insufficient for the compleating the said Road and the opposition given to the Bill by the Commiss[ione]rs of Greenwich Hopl the Subscribers to it have (at a late Meeting) come to a Resolution that the Road shall not be carried further West than Chapel, (between Stanhope & Newhouse) about one Mile from the latter: In consequence of this, some of the Subscribers have withdrawn their Subscriptions, others have reduced them; I inclose you the Sentiments of your Agents as to the Matter, & shall follow the directions therein; I think that the proposed Road as far as Chapel may be the means of having the different Articles for the Mines, as well as provisions for the Workmen brought up at a lower Rate.

	I have paid the Lead Agents £2500 for Subsistence for the Workmen.

	There has not been any demand for Lead at this Markett, some have been offer[e]d at £18 per F[odde]r but refused, I am apprehensive that it will be lower.

	The Money in your Bankers hands will be required for the Lead Pay, I have desired your Agents to be particularly attentive to the Woods, that they may be well Fenced & preserved.

	Weardale Mines are doing very well at present Coalcleugh rather on the decline, but Mr Dickinson is in hopes they may come about again; Allenheads Mines are doing little, owing to the deep Workings & not having cut any new Veins.                       I am etc    J.E.B