Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 3 Feb 1810

      Newcastle 3 February 1810

Mrs Beaumont

addressed to Col. Beaumont – Portman Square



I beg to inclose copy of Mr Williamsons opinion* respecting the cross vein working by the Lead Company in Middlehope and from the perusal it appears the right of Colonel Beaumont to this vein will be a matter of great difficulty to prove. – for the present Mr Emerson is making a trial to discover the direction of the vein and if he is successful in the attempt, the plan then will be to endeavour to obtain the Companys consent to refer the business to the decision of experienced Miners, but until the  trial is accomplished, and in a way to strengthen your claim, it is my opinion that the investigation of right had better be delayed. – Herewith you will also be pleased to receive Mr Dickinson’s report of the Mines and annexed the particulars of Bills remitted to Messrs Glyn & Co last month amounting to £69,758 – 6 – 3.  I am etc



*I have perused a Lease dated 3 Decemr 1697 from Sir Wm Blackett to Geo: Bland Henry Wallas and John Wilkinson of certain Lead Mines in the parishes of Stanhope and Wolsingham and I think that the Lead Company (who claim under these Lessees) having in the course of working the demised veins discovered the cross vein in question are entitled to work such cross vein for their own benefit, unless it is a vein belonging to any old working of the Lessor or his Representatives which has been what in <mining> is called wrought by the Old Man and unless also it can be won without the aid of the Lessees Levels. That the cross vein lately discovered is in the above situation and consequently excepted out of the Mines which the Lessees are authorised to Work is a fact which must be proved by those claiming under the Lessor, and as the nearest old working belonging to them is (as I am informed) at the distance of two Miles or thereabouts from the cross vein the proof of any connection between it and the cross vein seems to be attended with considerable difficulty, and the <mode> to be adopted for the purpose of obtaining the necessary information as to this presumed Connection must be left to the consideration of mining agents

      The Company have an undoubted prima facie right to proceed in working this Cross vein and cannot be prevented from doing so ‘till the circumstances above mentioned are fully established by satisfactory evidence. –

	Rt Hopper Williamson

		Newcastle 3rd February 1810