Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 5 Mar 1821

Mrs Beaumont						Newcastle 5th March 1821

Portman Square London	



Madam 

I am duly honored with your letter of the 2nd Inst and having determined to withdraw your Acc[oun]t from Sir F Blake Reed & Co Bank in June or July next, it will be my business, at a proper time to give them Notice of your intention. – Mr Wilson Rector Of Wolsingham has been applied to, previous to <commencing> the contemplated Level of Pikestone, to know the terms he would accept for his Tythe Ore. His demand is one twelfth of the produce; which considering the <largeness> of the previous expense, and the uncertainty of the result, has not been complied with; and in consequence the commencement of the Level is deferred until he becomes more reasonable. I authorised Mr Geo Crawhall to offer him one sixteenth, but which he rejected; and the hope I entertain is, that by an apparent indifference We shall hereafter be enabled to negotiate with him for better terms than he is at present disposed to accede to. – It is undoubtedly desirable, beyond the mere consideration of this mine, to establish a moderate duty for the Tythe Ore in Weardale, as the attainment of it, might establish a precedent importantly beneficial to your Interests in the Parish of Stanhope; and indeed this consideration is one inducement to the projected Trial at Pikestone. – I remain etc  MM



Enclosed at same time Cash Acc[oun]t & Lead Sales for Feb 1821

[a loose-leaf summary account relating to Blake Reeds & Co was found a few pages later in the letter book, and given here as this is the only letter mentioning the Beaumont’s bank account with them:]



Sir F Blake Bt Reeds & Co Dr 

For <Acc[oun]t> of their Bank Debts £406,164 16 9

By Various Assets                   £229,798 17 1 	

   Bank Deficiency                  £176,365 19 8

Jno Reed Esqr Priv Effects £180,000

Sir F Blake Bts – do -      100,000

                                    £280,000

    Surplus                         £103,634  0 4