Letter – Thomas Richard Beaumont to John Erasmus Blackett – 12 Jan 1797

										Jan 12th 97.

My dear Sir,

I have the pleasure of yours, and am happy to say Mrs. Beaumont and her little Family arrived here perfectly well on Thursday last. I think Mr. Newton calls for the Money very soon as in knowing well that tradesmen give longer credit that he allows us, and from Mr. Bell I find his Son is almost constantly at the Abbey, which we never understood would be necessary, and at this time you will know we have not any money in advance. I think betwixt ourselves, that was Mr. Newton to be a little more explicit with the Masons at Hexham there certainly would not be any necessity for his Son being continually at the Abbey, as the expence of his going so frequently to us is <great> & what we did not understand was to be the case. Mr. Bell mentions this in confidence to us and as our only reliance is in You we hope the Business will be carried with the least expence possible – I am very happy to find that we are not likely to be any great <losers> by Foster, yet I fear it may be some time before we get the Money. I wish to have Mr. Johnson & Mr. Surtees Bills paid – Enclosed I send you a letter from Messrs. Surtees by which you will see we owe them 21,000£, and that we have only <10,400>£ due in March. I greatly fear we shall be greatly distressed in our pays. Mrs. Beaumont unites with me in best respects to Mrs. Collingwood & Yourself. There is a report of <great News> being <announced> of the Capture of some of the French Fleet.

I am My dear Sir Your sincere hble Servant

Tho. Rd. Beaumont.