Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 21 Feb 1820

      N[ew]Castle 21 February 1820

Mrs Beaumont Portman Square London



I am honored with your Letter of the 19 inst. The Lives in the leases for the Weardale Lead Mines with the particulars you required are inserted on the otherside; and those for the Inclosures etc will be transmitted by Mr Thomas who possesses the Leases. – The subject of Mr Blacketts Letter dated April 5th/1807 has frequently engaged my thoughts, and you will be pleased to recall to Memory a Proposition to the Bishop of Durham being made to exchange one of the Old Lives, when Richard Seniors name was, in 1808, inserted in the Leases on the death of [struck out: Wm] Chas Wilson; and that his Lordship after affecting to decline negotiating, on the ground of not interfering with the interests of his Successor, at last consented to accept an equivalent for an Exchange of One of the Lives, referring the quantum to be paid, to Mr Morgan the then Actuary to one of the Annuity Offices in London. This was not proceeded in and the Lives still continue in the Leases. The Application to the Bishop was made, in the hope, as he had received so large a sum in consequence of the issue of the Chancery Suit respecting the Original Agreement for Lot Ore, that he would have exchanged one of the Lives on moderate terms; but as his Lordship showed no such disposition, you were not inclined to continue the negotiations – If Mr Beaumont is disposed to ascertain the Bishops Sentiments on the point, the Result, one way or other would be desirable for you to know.

	I am etc MM



The Lives inserted in the Leases for Weardale Lead Mines.

Names		what year	   By whom        The Sum   Years Old

       Inserted      inserted       paid      in 1820

John Trevelyan 1771  Sir Wr Blackett	   1000 Gs	   59

Jonn Depledge  1783  Sr Thos Blackett	   1250 Gs	   59

Richd Senior   1808  Col & Mrs Beaumont 15000       19