Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 15 Feb 1800

Colonel Beaumont						Newcastle 15th. Feb.y 1800	

No. 35 Portman Square London



Dear Sir					

      I wrote to you the 12th ins. to which I refer you.   I was Yesterday favoured with your Letter of the 12th inst. & observe the Conversation that you had with the Bishop of Durham respecting the Division of the Commons in Weardale; I am of Opinion that in Case the Bishops Consent to the Division, depends on a Chapel being built & endowed, that it will not take place for the reason that I gave Mr. Emerson in my Letter to him (a Copy of which I enclose you) unless the Bishop should take the Expence in a great Measure on himself which I do not apprehend that he will be inclined to do; his Lordship has formed a wrong Idea of the Common People of that part of the Country & looks on them to be very uncivilized & little better than Heathens, whereas they are very much otherwise; It is true that there are a great Number of Dissenters in that part, but I do not believe that is owing to the want of a Chapel, or that in Case of a one being built that the Presbyterians would quit their Meeting Houses & go to Chapel, besides provided your Workmen are peaceable & Quiet, of what Consequence can it be to you whether they go to the Chapel or the Meeting House?

      The Revd. Mr. Wilson has made a fresh Application to me respecting a Lease of Pike Stone Lead Mine which Matter requires some Consideration.   I have wrote to Mr. Emerson Jr. A copy of which you have enclosed; Mr. Emerson Senr. Is very ill & there is little Hopes of his recovery.   I am not a little surprised at Mr. Burdons Application to you respecting the relief of the Miners in Alstone Moor, he must know that you have for some Time past, supplied your Workmen with Corn at a reduced Price, & that you have expended a Considerable Sum of Money for that Purpose; Can it then be expected of you to enter into a General Subscription or to go into any other Plan with the Lead Company Mess. T. Surtees & Halls &c. for the relief of the Miners in Alstone Moor &c. or that you shou’d allow them to have a part of the Corn that was early engaged for your own Workmen ; This Application to you I have no doubt comes from Mr. T. Surtees to Mr. Burdon; Messrs. Surtees & Halls have taken several Lead Mines in the County of Durham for which they pay a considerable, certain rent, & are buying up all the Ore at Alstone More that they can lay their Hands on;  I suppose that the Application to Mr. Wilson comes from them.   

      I am &c. J.E.B.