Letter – Martin Morrison to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 26 Dec 1816

      N[ew]castle Dec 26 1816

Col Beaumont MP

P MrsB



The enclosed Papers have sent to me this morning and I hope this Letter will arrive before the deputation intended to be sent to Bretton by the Miners. to lay before you & Col Beaumont their complaints and to solicit redress – The allowance of 30/- p[er]B[in]g the highest Price for raising Ore cannot be increased, without augmenting the loss already sustained in working the Mines Weardale Mines, at the present price of Lead; nor will it be practicable to conduct those Mines with peace and order for the future if the Men are given way to on this occasion They are at the commencement of every Quarter of a year, free to accept or refuse the price the Agents, under due  consideration of all circumstances, fix upon the different workings, nor can I think it safe to depart from this Rule of Conduct. – I am informed the Lead Co allow 40s/- p[er]B[in]g but under such regulations, I am also informed, as are incompatible with the extended Works, under the management of your Agents. – With respect to supplying the Miners with Corn from Newcastle the subject had full consideration at the time & from the little satisfaction which was expressed by them on a former occasion, it was not deemed expedient to interfere with the  various establishments and dealers in Corn, that supply them, and who in receiving their Monthly Subsistence in Money  could it was supposed purchase on equally good terms, whatever their consumption required. – The Lead Co have of late made many new arrangements in their Concerns, all which I think impracticable as to any good purpose, as applied to yours; and very probable will not prove of benefit to themselves in the end. I propose meeting the Agents on Saturday & will endeavor to obviate every reasonable complaint, if any exist, but I must recommend that  when the Bargains commence, the present price for raising Ore be adhered to, & as the Men are quite at liberty to decide for themselves, they may feel  the consequences of their own conduct.