Letter – Sir William Blackett to John Erasmus Blackett – 1 Dec 1804

My Dear Sir

      <While> all here very sorry to find you had been so very ill, hope you have consulted Mr Ingham & this change of weather for the better will I'm <..> no doubt be of service to you, <we were> very aprehensive that you got cold in going from hence so very early in the morning without breakfast, Mr Thomas whom I like very much brings me your letter he seems to be a very clever understanding man <..> much to the purpose. I could not prevail with him either to dine or take a bed here he went from hence to Halton to look at Tom Bates farm <...> which <....> made there, & I hope he will convince him that he has a most excellent farm & would be most comfortably settled he would but be satisfied <..> intended with what he has, but I believe his Mother puts these things into his head & persuades him to get all he can & make the best bargain before he leaves the Country.

      Mr Thomas said he should prefer going <..> to Fallowfield in the Spring in May or June when he should be better able <...> his opinion upon the Farm he seem'd much surprised at the present rent, the <skill likewise> that great <part> of Tom Bates Farm was worth forty shillings <an acre>, and yet this young man pretends to be much displeased & dissatisfied with his Farm.

      I wrote a few days ago to Mr & Mrs Bates the[y] sent me word that Mr Bates Farm at Ryal the term expires at old May day 1805 the[y] cannot hold it any longer than the Term agreed for. Therefore it may be rented at the expiration of this Term. I have no sort of objection to Mr Pearson being the Attorney, & am much obliged to Mr Williamson for his kind offer of looking over the title for me. I conclude you will hear from Mr Stead on the subject, he is or was in Town <w… ….> last time. We propose setting out from hence on Thursday Morn next & hope to get to Darlington to sleep, we shall I hope have frosty weather for the Journey; I shall leave all the Party in Cambridge<shire> & go th<en> directly to Town as I rec'd a letter from the landlord Col Parker to say we must turn out of his home as it is to be sold the 1st of Feby; I fully expected he should have had it for six months longer. I shall loose no time in getting another house, as we have no time to spare, the trouble of moving at this time is very unpleasant. I have inclosed you Mr Williamsons letter as <promised> with many thanks to him.

      Hope this will find you much better, Mary Anne & Miss <H> desire to join me in kind love to yourself, Mrs Collingwood etc believe me Dear Sir yours very Affectionately

	   Wm Blackett



Matfen Saturday <Eve.g>	

I <was at> Wallington this Morn. :Mrs T has gone over to Newcastle, they stay quietly there all the winter.