Letter – Joshua Straker to John Erasmus Blackett – 24 Mar 1794

      Newcastle 24th March 1794

Sir

      I am this day favoured with your letter and am glad to hear that you have received benefit from the country Air etc.   I shall take care to have the Bills ready for payment about the time you mention and shall write to London respecting your Newspaper.

      I saw Mr Hewitson To-day at 'change who tells me that he has Bought 2000 ps Lead of Mr Hopper for Lancaster & Co. half  Refin'd & half Common at £15 p Fo[the]r and that Mr Fishwick has Bought 2000 ps Refin’d of the Baygill Co  at £15 p Fo.r and that Mr Fishwick has Bought all Erringtons Lead but at what price I have not yet learn'd.

      As those Sales have been made it will be a matter of consideration as to the Reduction of the Price of Lead for Exportation perhaps it might be adviseable to Reduce it 5/.p Fo.r but I shall not do anything in it untill I hear from you. I have had no applications for Lead since you went from home except Losh & Co who will want 230 ps Lead & 30 Casks of Litharge in weeks time.   If you intend lowering the Price of Lead, please to say likewise if you lower the price of Litharge.

I am Sir  your most Obed. Hble Servt.

      Jos.  Straker



John E Blackett Esqr. 



[cover:] John E. Blackett Esq/ Capt. Collingwood's /Morpeth

[annotated in JEB’s hand:] Jos. Straker /24th March 1794