Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 17 Nov 1808

Mrs Beaumont  Bretton					Newcastle 17 November 1808



      I have delayed acknowledging the rec[eip]t of your Letter of the 12th instant, in the expectation of communicating Mr Blackett’s determination respecting the money due from him, but which he has not yet enabled me to do. Considering Mr Wilson’s propensity to converse indiscreetly on all occasions and upon all subjects, I would be disposed to pay the Balance of his Bill immediately and not wait for Mr Heron delivering his, and if it is your pleasure that he should be paid, I will make the necessary remittance on the Bill being sent to me. Mr Heron (on whose punctuality I place no reliance) promises to furnish me with his Bill at Christmas; this period will be as soon as the Acc[ount]s from the Mines can be produced, so as to enable me to prepare the Statement of the demand against the Lead Company.

	The Lead Carriage has of course considerably decreased & we shall not complete all the Sales of Lead this year, at the same time if any London Ho[use] will give £41 for Refined I should (conformable to my system of preventing an accumulation of Lead) think it expedient to accept the offer for 5000 P[iece]s.

	I am &c   MM