Letter – Joshua Straker to John Erasmus Blackett – 4 Jul 1798

      Rothbury 4th July 1798

Sir

      I was favoured with your kind Letter of 20th Ulto. for which I am much obliged.  I have continued the Goats Whey since I wrote you and I think myself a little stronger but my Strength increases so slowly that I'm affraid it will take some time to restore me to my usual Strength but as you have been so kind as to say that I may stay some time longer I mean to give this place a full trial provided my presence is not wanted at Newcastle. Coll. & Mrs Beaumont I suppose will be in this Country before now I wonder much you did not hear from them some time ago, but he is certainly very negligent in answering his letters.

      Most of the Company that will be here this Season are now come.  Doctor Fenwick of Morpeth is here.  I have been frequently playing a Game at Whist with him in the evenings, he asked very kindly after you & Mrs Collingwood; Mrs Charlton of Hesliside came a day or two ago & Mrs & Miss Colt arrived last night.

      I am sorry the Lead Trade goes so poorly on I am affraid this will be one of the worst Years for it that you have seen for a long time.    I hope that yourself Mrs Collingwood & the Young Ladies are all well.

      I am Sir Your most Obed. Hble Servt.

      Josa Straker



P.S.  I shall be much obliged by a few lines when convenient.  



[on cover, possibly in a different hand to Straker’s, on either side of the address block:] 

I am very anxious to hear how you got home. I fear you would be much wet, wch would increase your cold, and you would make me much easier to have Thomas with you.  Write a line to say how you are and that you will return soon



John E. Blackett Esq./ Capt. Collingwoods./ Morpeth.

Pr Favor of Mr. Harrison



[annotated in JEB’s hand:] Jos. Straker /4 July 1798

[each of the following names in a list JEB’s hand is accompanied by a tick;}

J Straker

Mrs <Stand>

Doctr. Carlyle

Lord Adam Gordon

Col. Beaumont

Gilbert Meason [presumably the Scottish lead proprietor of that name]

Jo. Hunter

T Crawhall

Capt Collingwood