Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 7 Apr 1809

Mrs Beaumont Addressed to Col Beaumont			Newcastle 7th April 1809

Portman Square London 

 

      I beg to transmit, in this and another Cover, Lead Sales and Cash Account for last month.  On Wednesday I returned from the Mines and from Paying the Ore Carriage at Blanchland, the latter being effected by discounting two Lead Bills: concluding that mode to be preferable to drawing upon Messrs Glyn & Co by which an expense of Bill Stamps & Brokerage would have been incurred. --- The Northumberland Mines have produced Ore this quarter equal to the former, but those in Weardale are poorer.  The Lead Trade is very dull at present and prices in Derbyshire have been so low at £34 per fo; the uncertainty which Public Affairs are in and the enormous price of Lintseed Oil & Turpentine; indispensable in the composition of Paints have no doubt contributed to this depression.  On the 21st of last month I addressed a Letter to Mr Tippler Secretary to the Lead Company in London requesting payment of the Balance due to Colonel Beaumont for compositions paid to the Bp of Durham for Lot Ore &c.  Mr Tippler in reply stated that he would lay my Letter before the Court of Directors at their first meeting and here the business rests; the  amount due from the Company is £5115-11-4, assume the possession of which is desirable, as applicable to the monthly subsistence of the  Miner & their disbursements .

      I have not been inattentive to the vacancy made by the death of your late agent George Dickson and for the present have requested Mr Emerson to employ John Forster, until your determination be known.  It is not at all desirable to introduce Strangers into this Establishment and as Forster’s allowance is only £30 a yr – a sum inadequate to the support of a family, it is judged that an additional £20 will stimulate his exertion to perform the duty required of him.  Presenting my respectful compliments to Col Beaumont  I am etc MM 



PS Since writing the foregoing I have by this days Post rec’d a Letter from Mr Tippler, of which the following is a Copy