Letter – William Blackett to James Standsfield – 14 May 1679

      Dunfries 14th may 1679

Honnored Sr

      I write you yesterday & gave it to Ed Lithard to forward. by it you wil see what I have don at our leed mines at Wanlockhead, wch I hope you will approve of. I have turned of nico.Deblish & Thom Erington & his wife, haveing pitched upon as many men as I thinck will doe our work to content this <sommer> & more cannot be Imployed but to our los. I shall desier you if you pleas not to alter anything I have Don. If you doe Imploy Erington & Deblish let them be upon yr owne accot not myn for the first I am to swear next sessions that I have neather papist in my Sarvice at home or abrod, & for the 2d he hath abused me more then Even Jno Curtice did you, so as you had fredem to put of the steward, the like we shal not get for our advantidg, say all wt they will, so I doe not question but you will allow me to <put> out of part of my service a sarvant who I <…> to have been an Idle & an unprofitable fellow to us. Ed Lithard will writ you as to other pticuler so I refer you to his letter. I paid my part till 10 May according to his accot .wt you pd or Ingaged for the last pay I know not neather did you give me any Information so what may be Dew that be pd if not paid alredy. Sr the bearrer hereof is Mr Rob Clark the messinger you ordered me to deliver the papers unto. He hath performed very well as no doubt but he wil give you an accot of his diligence & to say truth he Desarves for wt he hath don kindness & mony.

      Dear Sr I Desire you be kind & not Huffy to my Ld for he can Ruine both yr Concerne & myn in the leed mines a good word may doe us a favore where a bad one wil get us no kindness. If I wear with you I could tel you more however I rest & remaine 

      Sr yr affnate fr. & sarvt  Wm Blackett



[outer leaf:] For Sr James Standsfield knight In Edenbrugh

[annotated:] May 14th 1679 Mr Wm Blackett anent putting off some workemen: and that he expects Ile allow of it