Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 26 Sep 1809

Mrs Beaumont						Newcastle 26th September 1809

addressed to Col Beaumont Doncaster



      I received your Letter of the 24th this day – In addition to Mr Williamson’s opinion I have obtained the Attorney General’s and both agree that Messrs Nichol and Ludlow are liable to pay the Bills drawn by them on Mr Elliott.  I sent for Mr Nichol and communicated to him the necessity of immediately taking steps towards the recovery of the amount in consequence of Mr Elliott’s insolvency and beg’d to know what their intentions were; he set forth the hardship of their situation should they be proceeded against and which, if the claim was established would be their utter ruin; that he was entirely ignorant of being responsible when the Bills were drawn and that he did hope Colonel Beaumont would not require of them, to whom til lately it was never considered any liability attached, to make good these Bills. – I hinted to Mr Nichol my willingness, provided he would make a proposition of Payment, to lay it before Colonel Beaumont, which after describing their situation as unequal to offer any thing adequate to the Colonel’s demand, he promised in two or three days, to bring his mind to something specific and communicate to me the result.  I think Mr Nichol is convinced of this liability and will not contest the point. – Messrs Walker & Co are Creditors of Mr Elliott and with a view also perhaps, to become better acquainted with the bankrupt Customer, it was desirable on their part, Mr Maltby should be an Assignee; he succeeded and is joined by Mr Masterman and Mr Brown who are very proper men for the situation. –

      The Lead Company have sold 15,000 Ps of Lead to Messrs Walker & Co and 5,000 Ps to Messrs Prestons, and I have also sold 10,000 Ps to Messrs Locke & Co together with several small parcels to manufacturers. These Sales are all at £28 & £27 p fo  I am etc