Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 27 Sep 1807

Mrs Beaumont						Newcastle 27 September 1807

Addressed to Col Beaumont	Bretton Hall



Mr Ellill has given orders to Mr H[enr]y Hewitson who is absent on a visit at Whitby, to purchase 5,000 Pieces WB Lead & 100 Casks of Litharge, his Brother opened the Letter and having forwarded it to him expects his directions by Wednesday next. In the interim I cannot avoid expressing to you my anxiety in transacting business with Mr Ellill and stating the reasons for this anxiety. It is notorious that this Gentleman is most extensively connected with Messrs Easterby Hall & Co and that the insecure Paper transactions between them has affixed a disreputable implication upon his name and that should E[asterby] Hall suspend their Payments, the apprehension entertained by well informed People is, that Mr Ellill will be in the same predicament. There are however many of good judgement, of a different opinion & consider Mr <Elliss> a cautious man, that altho[ugh] he assists E[asterby] H[all] & Co largely, it is done under the security of the deposit of all their Lead, that many of his transactions in the Lead Trade are upon their Account and risque, & that derives considerable emolument by the connection, paying his engagements punctually & disregarding the suspicions cast upon his name. Which of these opposite opinions, should be the rule of my Conduct so as to secure you from harm, is a subject of no little difficulty to decide upon. The unlimited Credit this Gentleman has always received not only in your Office, but with the Lead Co[mpan]y and others, the present state of the Lead Trade and the many large stacks yet remaining on hand demand every encouragement to Purchasers to come forward and diminish the quantity; all their circumstances would at this time render a refusal position particularly awkward and which could only be justified by the conviction of almost certain loss. I have taken the liberty of troubling you on this subject without having yet fixed in my own mind the line of conduct to be pursued, but shall endeavour to obtain all the information which can be obtained, by Wednesday next to enable me to adopt what I conceive most conducive to your interest & Security. 	

	A letter from Mr Emm may be expected this day.

					I am etc MM