Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 18 Sep 1808

Mrs Beaumont  Hexham				Newcastle 18 Septenber 1808

	

      The Weardale Leases arrived by the Mail Coach on Thursday afternoon, which were immediately laid before Mr Williamson for his perusal and on Friday I waited upon him to receive his opinion thereon & by which it appears the whole are irregular: On the death of Sir Thomas Blackett the Leases sh[oul]d have been surrendered and others obtained by, and in the name of Mr John Cockshutt, he executing a declaration that they were so granted to him upon the Trusts declared of the same by the will of Sir T Blackett, and this is precisely what is necessary for Mr James Cockshutt to perform now, provided Mr John Cockshutt made no other appointment regarding this Trust. If you Madam know the situation of Mr Ja[mes] Cockshutt under the will of Mr John Cockshutt whether he stands alone or is joined with any other person or persons in the Trust, you will oblige me by communicating the same in course of Post, or otherwise to write Mr Cockshutt to transmit to me the necessary information.

	Yesterday I went and returned from Auckland and am sorry to observe that the Bishop will not come to a conclusion respecting the Lot Ore; having told him (after a previous conversation) that I should accede to his terms and give the £4000 per annum demanded, he said that he should not now accept it. Reminding his Lordship that this was the sum he mentioned when last waited upon & which he accompanied by the observation that he would not take one shilling less & he w[oul]d be pleased to recollect I observed that as such was his Lordships determination I should communicate the same to Col & Mrs Beaumont and as I had again to visit Auckland on receiving the Leases from London, I should then see him on the subject, to which he made no opposition, His Lordship quickly replied Sir, I did not bind myself & have got a better offer. His Ldships behaviour on the whole was most incorrect which even Mr Emm could not avoid feeling; for previous to seeing his Ldsp he told me it would be useless to offer less than £4000 and on taking my leave, said he should speak th the Bishop in the Evening on the subject & write me.

	I was with Alderman Blackett last Tuesday, he cannot produce the Lres required, refuses to give security for £3000 which I told him you would be satisfied with & proposes to leave to Mr Walton to say the sum he is entitled to for his services since Sir Thomas Blacketts demise.

      I am etc MM