Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 29 Jul 1794

By - gregpfinch29 Jul 1794
Document Type: Letter
Date: 29 Jul 1794
Correspondent: John Erasmus Blackett
Recipient: Thomas Richard Beaumont
Archive Source: NRO 672 E 1E 5
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Colonel Beaumont                                                                              Newcastle 29th July 1794

             Manchester



Dear Sir	I was about writing to you this day when I was favoured with your letter of the 25th inst.  I am sorry to tell you that there is scarce any demand for Lead at present, we have about 14000 pieces at Blaydon Ready for Sale  12000 p[iece]s for Refining besides what is on the Road & at the several Mills the drought has not only stopt the Mills very much but some of the lower workings for want of Water for the Engines as well as for Washing the Ore; the last Lead sold at this Place for the London Market was at £14-14 per Fo[dde]r we sold small Quantities at £15 per Fo[dde]r for Refin’d & Litharge at £15-10 per Ton, it is expected to be lower & I am sorry to say that I have every Reason to think that this Years Sale will fall much short of the last.  The Mines are much in the same state they were when you were last in the North; the Lead Stewards have been with me this Morning for Subsistence for the Workmen; poor Mr Hunter of Dukesfield has been dangerously ill, he is now something better & I hope may do well  Mr Forster of Allenheads has had a fall from his horse & broke two ribs.

	There has been a stop among the Keelmen for Three Weeks & they have committed great excesses, they have endeavoured to compell the Colliers, Smiths at Crowleys Works as well as other labouring people to join them but without success it was Reported that a large body of them had gone to the Lead Mines for that purpose but there was not the least truth in it; for the Stewards assured me that the Workmen were very quiet nor had they made the smallest complaint

	About 70 of Lord Darlington’s Rangers & 120 of Coll Leigh’s Light Dragoons were ordered here by Genl Grant & have been on this Duty for several days with the Magistrates of the 3 Counties; this Morning the Keelmen returned peacefully to their work & are I think likely to continue so in which case the Horse will Return to their former Quarters  

      I am etc    J.E.B

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The Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project aimed to celebrate and discover the heritage of the Dukesfield Arches & lead carriers' routes between Blaydon and the lead mines of Allendale and Weardale. A two year community project, it was led by the Friends of the North Pennines in partnership with Hexhamshire and Slaley Parish Councils and the active support of Allendale Estates. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the generous support of other sponsors. Friends of the North Pennines: Charity No:1137467