Letter – Surtees Burdon & Brandling to Christopher Blackett – 13 Dec 1805

Chrisr. Blackett Esqr.							Newcastle 13th. Decr. 1805



Sir

The Committee met this day to decide on your proposition respecting security to a certain extent to Col. Beaumont out of Mr. Burdon’s private Effects – They conceived it to be their duty, notwithstanding their sincere desire to promote any wish of Col. Beaumont’s to refuse their assent to the proposition in the shape of a measure confined solely to Col. Beaumont’s Debt. ‘tho they think that a scheme of a general nature may be adopted, which, to the Colonels satisfaction may effect his objects – They are firm in the conviction that the manner in which their trust is executed is in reality the most advantageous to the Colonel & to the Creditors, that can under the peculiarities of our situation be devised: and they please themselves with the hope that consistently with the calls of his private Interest and the public convenience, his influence will continue to be beneficially felt by them in the execution of their trust – They hope that he will contribute his utmost endeavours to tranquilize the disposition, and to allay the inconvenience of the public by the continuance of his countenance to their measures, and by a liberal and candid interpretation of their Conduct. – They entreat his Countenance on the present occasion with the more confidence, as they are about to take a measure of a general nature, and to insert speedily in the Papers a preliminary advertisement. We entreat that Col. Beaumont & you may consider this communication as perfectly confidential, and we persuade ourselves that, when beginning with Col. Beaumont, we shall offer securities different from those which you claimed on his behalf but substanti<ally> good to their extent, you will feel the earnestness of our wish to do the Colonel all the Justice in our Power. It is our misfortune that our Power is limited. We cannot conclude this letter without remarking that in the [3-4 words illegible owing to paper fold] painful Duty which we have imposed upon ourselves, and which we fervently believe, after having surmounted all difficulties, we shall finally execute to the satisfaction of all our Creditors, we have much more consulted their Interest, than our own ease – We hope to see you as soon as you return, And are 

Your most Obt. Hble. Servts.

Surtees, Burdon & Bran<dling>



Dr. Sir Above you have the Copy of our letter to you in December.

I am Sir / Yr. faithful Servt.

Newca Jan. 15. 06 – R. Burdon