Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 14 Apr 1801

Colonel Beaumont						Newcastle 14th. April 1801

Portman Square, London



Dear Sir

      I wrote to you the 10th. inst. to which I refer you; It is with Concern that I acquaint you with the sudden Death of Mr. Ralph Heron yesterday evening at 8 o’ Clock;  I understand that he had been complaining for some Days before, but saw persons on Business, so I imagine that he must have gone off in a Fit.   It is probable that you will be applied to by his Son Walter, not only to succeed his Father in your law Business, but likewise as Clerk of the Court for the Manor of Hexham, in which Mr. J. Bell was his Deputy; Walter Heron is I believe very capable of Business, sober & diligent; he has had but indifferent Health for some time past, but is getting better: As he has been imployed in your Law Business &c. with his late Father, should you think proper to continue him in the same, I have no Doubt of his executing it with Diligence and Integrity.-

      I last Week sent Mr. J. Bell £600 – to pay the 5 & 6 Instalments on your Income Tax for the former year and for his Payments on Account of Hexham Abbey.- 

      I have been applied to by the Bishop of Durham’s Agent Mr. Mowbray respecting the renewal of the Leases of Kilhope & Welhope & of Lintzgarth by the putting in a new Life in the room of R. Brooks and exchanging a Life in Room of ---Robson who I understand is not in a very good State of Health and he weighs 24 Stone, and I think it advisable to take this Opportunity of  exchanging his Life; Mr. Mowbray says that the Bishop is very desirous of there being a Clause in the Lease, impowering the  Bishop to take off and enclose as much of the Land (I suppose the Moor Land & not that at present enclosed) as may serve for the Support of a couple of Horses and three Cows for the Curate of a Chapel proposed to be built by his Lordship and for the School Master; that this Ground so to be reserved shall be at such part as may be settled & set off by the Agents of the Bishop and your Agents, and to be at a part that may not interfere or be prejudicial to your Concerns; as the Bishop has the Power in some Measure in himself, this request cannot well be refused, provided it be executed in the Manner that I mentioned, which I have no Doubt that it will be; your Son Mr. Wentworth Beaumont, and T.Crawhall (who is in the Office) will be in the Place of R. Brooks & -- Robson.-

      There is no Demand for Lead at present either for abroad, or by the London Buyers and in the present Situation of the Trade I fear that the present Price cannot long be supported, when I have been selling Lead for some time past at £23.10.- p[er] Fodr. the Price at Hull has not exceeded £22.10.- and as the Season advances, Lead will be coming down to Market very fast, I understand that Surtees Halls & Easterby are sending their Lead to London where they have a wharf and that they have at present near 20,000 <ps> [pieces]. for Sale.  

      I am &c. J.E.B.