Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 1 Oct 1807

Mrs Beaumont							Nescastle 1 October 1807

Addressed to Col Beaumont Bretton



      I beg to inform you that in consequence of Mr Emm’s appointment Mr Blackett Mr Chisholm & myself went yesterday to Aukland and on arriving there called upon Mr Emm who having announced us to the Bishop, his Lordship requested to speak with Mr Blackett. After a conversation explanatory of the Letter wrote to Colonel Beaumont in which his Lordship declared his meaning to be, to break for the removal of the Life, as <distinct>, from the mode he had suggested of terminating the suit and requests us to know if Mr Blackett had any proposition to make on the part of Col Beaumont and on being informed he had not, his Lordship observed in a cold manner that he was very sorry for it and a pause in the conversation ensued. Mr Blackett <un…..ed> it by asking the Bishop if he might be permitted to request his Lordship to name a sum, which after some hesitation, He said ‘suppose that I were to name the sum and take an average of the Statement as delivered into Chancery from 1791 to 1801 as a basis, and demand £15,000’ Mr Blackett begged to know if his L[or]dship had any objection to his communicating this to Col Beaumont, to which He assented requiring at the same time the Account of the Produce and Price of Ore from 1801 to the end of last year which Mr B[eaumon]t produced; perusing it, he observed,  the increase was great indeed, but that he should still be content with the above Sum remarking with an archness of Countinances, that it was Col Beaumont’s Interest not to decline it. The mode of terminating the suit was then <advected> to and his Lordship having assumed a more affable behaviour expressed his willingness to settle every matter amicably and that he should name a Mr Barnard in London to meet Col Beaumont’s friend there to go through the Accounts; and Mr Blackett understood the Bishop to say that upon their joint recommendation he should have little difficulty in making his determination. His Lordship then sent for Mr Chisholm and myself, and having expressed himself with affability to me on the probability of further acquaintance, Recapitulated the substance of the foregoing Conversation.

      It will now, Madam, before the serious consideration of Colonel Beaumont and yourself, to determine upon this subject, with as little delay as possible, and whether under the favourable or the adverse result of the Suit, any reasonable ground of hope can be entertained, to renew the Life on better terms. I confess so far as the little knowledge which so short an acquaintance with your affairs has afforded me, I have no hope that any material reduction can be obtained; that in complying with the Bishop’s demand a door is opened to an amicable agreement of all differences:- upon time, both with respect to the Suit and the future composition of the Lot Ore, more favourable than permitting the Suit to come Issued, which must be the case, if the renewal of the Life is not acceded to, for so the Bishop plainly intimates.

      I am etc MM