Letter – John Sparke to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 21 Jan 1795

									January 21 1795

Dear Sir 

	I most humbly beg leave to give you the trouble of this Paper as there hath been a prevaling defect for many years past in the Management of one part of your Lead Works not far from the Neighbourhood of Hexham – And it’s a great pity that there hath not allready been a due Remidy Introduced to remove this Defect – there is many Bystanders which have observed  this deficiency in Management – But few are able to point out the due Merits of this Business with any degree of Properiety – Therefore the Business continues  under a profuse and Imperfect Direction – now Sir/ If you should incline to have this Business carried on to perfection, According to the present knowledge of Times – By new modeling the Government of one Branch of your Works – you may Absolutely save Two Thousand Pounds yearly – you may perhaps, look upon this Expression as as a Vague report and that I wish to raise Jealousy and mistrust in your Works in General – (not so my Good Sir) my Motive is very far contrary to any such Insinuating Intentions – I am not wishing to Intermeddle with your Works in General. it is only one part of your Lead Works which falls under the Sphere of my Certain knowledge – And I can point out Two concise Propositions or Circumstances that will clearly prove the above Annual saveing beyond the shaddow of any doubt – And to make it appear clearly to all demonstration – I shall prove it from the Yearly Accts which hath in course been send to Newcastle - and  by Investigating these Accts year by year for two 7 years past – the Weight of your Pay Bills will clearly shew a loss of £2000 Annualy But I don’t wish to point out my propositions Explicitly at present least it should not meet with your Approbation – but if you think the above an object worth your Notice – Through the Assistance of Providence, and by your leave, I can make the above Manefestly appear as sure as God made Man – But I wish this to yourselfe only because I have a particular  Relation which makes a little Bread in your works – And if your Agent should know that I have pointed out any matter of reform – My Friend would perhaps loss his Bread in that line of Business – As it is Natural to suppose your Agent that hath the Government of this Business would not wish for any great reform or Improvement. Because it would discover a Vast deficiency in years past – If any thing herein

contain’d be to your likeing you may be positively Informed respecting the same By applying to me – I am just now Refineing Lead for his Grace the Duke of Athold at his Smelt Mill in the Isle of Mann – If I had the opportunity of speaking a few words upon this subject, I could clearly shew you what way this Annual saving would Arise – And if you should consult your Agent for 24 hours together, he is not able to discover to you the true Merits of this Business – But Im afraid you will blame my Imprudent Conduct in this Affair – But as I have pointed out this hint through a good Intention for your future Interest – I trust your Candour will excuse my Abruptness And permit me to Subscribe myself, with all due respect & well wishing to your Undertakings in General, Dear Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant

							John Sparke