Letter – William Blackett to James Standsfield – 19 Oct 1680

      Newcastle 19th 8ber 1680

Honnored Sr

      I have not writ unto you since the 13th of May last wch was then in Answer to yrs of the 30 April, wherein you gave me an acct of the hard useidge don us by <spanoch> my Lds sarvt. I did intreat you to send me a copy off our contract with my Ld that I might have taken som councellors advice here about the same, so as that I might have had ground to have spoke to my Ld in our English <Toone> whilst he was in this Contry. recving no answer from you I could not proceed as I intended. I doe hope you and my Lord hath settelled all Differences now & that the works goes on more cheerfully, of wch I should be glad to understand from you, that soe might with more vigour prosecute our intrist.

      I came this <tenth> som <4 days> agoe with an intention to have com'd for scotland, but it hath pleased the Lord to put a stop to it my resolution by viziting me with sickness insomuch that I have been given over by the doctors have the griping of the guts & a fever both saluteing my stratnes of breath, but praised be to god (Who strengthened me to withstand thoese my adversaries) I am on the mending hand & intreats you to take care of our concerns at wanlock head this year & god spareing me life & strength I will be with you next spring & clear al accts with you for my quarter part of this years charge.

      Sr, Mr Leamon tels me that the last bellows etc that I sent by Mason is at Holly Iland, he haveing lost his vessel thair - be pleased caus inquirie after them. I have severall other things wch will be redy to send this winter as backs and brests & the like nessesaryes for a lead mil & a man shal come along with me an artist in building them, but what can be don iff no wood be had I wish we had keept Enochs Wood & would have made my Ld a  Complyed. pray let me have a line from you how squar [Sanquar?] goes & you wil obliedg 

      Sr yr most Humb. sarvt Wm Blackett



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

[annotated:] 

Octo 19th 1680 Mr Wm Blackett le sineing me to take are of the Leade works at Wanlockhead this yeare promising to be wth me next Spring and cleare all accompts wth me for his fourth pt &c

[Shorthand note also given on outer leaf, dated Ed, Nov 6th 1680]

[further annotation:] 

Octr 19th 1680 Mr Wm Blackett <A.d> 6th of Novr & valued £50 on him at 13 d Sight pay.ble to Bayly Hale for <./4> to acct of my disbursem. of the Leade works at Wanlockhead

[underneath, in a different pen:] Bill returned back unpd