Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 13 Jun 1801

Colonel Beaumont						Newcastle 13th. June 1801

Portman Square London



Dear Sir

      I yesterday heard a Rumour that the Workmen at your Mines & Lead Mills had left off work & assembled in great Numbers in a riotous Manner; on this Report being confirmed to me I was about sending Thos. Crawhall to the Mines to learn the cause of it, but was prevented by the Arrival of all the principal Agents; they informed me that the Miners at Coalcleugh (where this  this Matter originated) having joined those in Weardale, proceeded to Allenheads and the several Lead Mills, and stopp’d the several Works; they complain that the Dearness of Corn, as well as every Article of Provisions, puts it out of their Power to support their respective Families at present, and they request that the lending Money may be encreased,  that instead of their having one Guinea & half each able Workman every two Months, that they may have that Sum every Month; which being done they do not desire any Corn to be provided for them; this on Enquiry is now done by the Lead Company; I had some Conversation yesterday Evening with Mr. Walton on this Business, and he has very kindly met the Mine Agents at your Office this morning for a couple of Hours, when we had the Matter very fully discussed with a couple of the Workmen who were deputed by those of Weardale, after considering of the whole Business, Mr. Walton and I are both of Opinion that it will be advisable to comply with their Requests, so far as relates to the lending Money, but on Condition that they peacably 	disperse & go to their respective Works; the Men being desirous of having something drawn up to satisfie the rest of the Workmen, I signed a Paper (a Copy of which I enclose you) for the Consideration of Mrs Beaumont and yourself, I shall be happy if it meet with your Approbation, but I must request that you will please to favour me with an immediate Answer.-

      Should this Measure take place the lending Money will be doubled	, the Lead Pay lessened, & you will be releived  of the Expence of supplying your Workmen with Corn at a reduced Price, the charge of which has been from £1,200 to 1,600 p[er] Annum.  

      I am &c.-- -J.E.B.



I am in treaty with the London Lead Dealers for a pretty large Quantity of Lead, the Success in which you shall be informed in a few Days.—