Letter – Walter Blackett to Edward Chandler – 7 Apr 1732

      7th April 1732

My Lord

      Last Sundays  post brought me the honour of yours somewhat complaining of a short (if any) notice but agreeing to receive the Lot ore in kind from the first of may next; I must confess the notice given your Lordship might not be thought entirely legal or sufficient as nothing was particularized, so if you please to accept of another month we are willing to pay the usual rent till the first of June & from that time your steward to receive it in kind; & as your Lordship must then dispose of the Ore to some one we shall be ready to give full as good a price if not a better than any other person shall, I mean so much per Byng.

      I do assure your Lordship our chusing to pay it in kind instead of a certain rent is purely from necessity, the groves not possibly being able to afford above the £250 offered as a short time will evidence, but I hope I may be mistaken. We must beg leave to differ from your Lordship’s opinion in relation to your ninth from the old heaps, we conceive we have a right to them entire; but except Lead should surprisingly advance its price they must continue unmolested & remain dead heaps to us both, so that I am at a loss which way to wish should the advancement of Lead endanger a dispute with your Lordship.

      I am Your Lordships most obedient  

      Wr Blackett