Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 30 Oct 1809

Mrs Beaumont					Newcastle 30th October 1809

Addressed to Col Bt Bretton



      I am favoured with your Letter of the 26th inst covering one from Mr Matthews of Shields.  It is true that the Duke of North’d has been applied for aid for purposes intended in commemoration of the jubilee , to which I understand his Grace has not yet replied. The town of Shields is certainly extending in opulence, the Freeholders are numerous and of considerable weight in the event of a contested Election.  Should the Duke contribute I shall think it my duty immediately to communicate the same to you.  You may not know Madam, that Sir John Swinburn, Sir Chas <Monck>., Sir Thomas Liddell and some others are attempting to procure a Petition to his Majesty to remove from his Council his previous Ministers but the measure is so generally unacceptable that it will in all probability fall to the ground; at least until Ministers are found weak in majoritys in the House of Commons.  

      I beg to include Mr Dickinson’s Report of the Mines; I was prevented being at the Bargains by the Sales of Lead, which at that time were negotiating.

      Since last I had the honour of addressing you, Mr T Crawhall has inspected Messrs Nichol & Ludlow’s Books by which the correctness of Mr Nichol’s statement is confirmed

	MM



Mr Nichol has since made a proposal in writing to pay £500 down, and £500 more without Interest in five years on the condition of being exonerated from the consequences of Mr

Elliott’s debt, but which I declined and returned the Papers, informing him I could not submit such an offer to Colonel Beaumont. The situation of Messrs Nichol & Ludlow precludes the hope of obtaining more than £2,000 even if extremities are resorted to and the legality of the claim established; I therefore recommend that Security for the sum or something near it may be accepted, provided the same can be obtained in full consideration of your claim upon the man.  Sir Wm Loraine is much better and am  etc   

      MM