Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 18 Apr 1793

      Newcastle 18th April 1793

      Thurs eveng 5 o Clock

Dear Sir

      Since my letter to you of the 17th inst. I have had several Conversations with Mr. John Surtees with respect to the Lead Pay, he now says that he has not the least doubt that was the Pay postponed for a fortnight viz. to the 14, 15 & 16th of May that their Bank could furnish their Notes to the amount of £20,000 or £25000 .. – which with £12000.. – or £14,000 – in Cash & some Bank of England Notes to make up the Sum of £44000 .. .. – but at the time that the Pay was proposed to be made that they could not issue any part of it in their Notes & that in case the Pay is resolved on at that time, that the whole amount must be sent down in Cash & Bank of England Notes, the latter of which he had great doubts would not satisfy the People, & that we should at that time have great difficulty in prevailing with them to accept of any Paper whatever in Payment, he likewise told me that they could not expect any assistance from the other three Banks at this <Place>; I this morning had some Conversation with Mr Bell & your Lead Agents when I acquainted them with these particulars but they are of opinion that the delaying the Pay for a fortnight may be attended with many disagreeable consequences & have determined on stating the Matter to you & sending their letter by Express; this being the case I thought it necessary to state the matter to you for your consideration. There is no doubt but that it would be advisable that the Pay should be made at the time appointed on many accounts but in the situation that we are in at present I much fear that it cannot be done & that however unpleasant it may be to yourself & inconvenient to others, that we shall be under the necessity of putting off the Pay for a fortnight; you will doubtless Consult Mr Burdon as well as Messrs. Morland & Hammersley on this Business when you will please to favour me with your answer as soon as possible.

      The four Banks will open on Saturday next & we are in hopes after the Measures which have been taken that there may not be any considerable run on them & that they may get forward very well.

      I am with respect Dear Sir Your Most Obedient Humble Servant

      John E. Blackett



The Bills that I was to have from Doctor Hall for £10,000 .. – to be dated the 1st. inst. at 2. Mon[ths] I have not yet received altho’ I have applied daily to him, for the same & have been as often promised that they should be sent <over>. I hope to get them tomorrow when they shall be placed in the hands of Surtees & Burdon, they will be drawn on Lancaster, Bax, Ellill & <Co.>