Letter – William Blackett to John Erasmus Blackett – 24 Apr 1807

My Dear Sir

      Many thanks to you for your kind letter which has given us much pleasure. Ingham must have treated my Uncle Harry with judgments & has been indeed very attentive but after so very serious illness it must be some time before he recovers his strength & usual state of health.  Admiral Collingwoods letter was very satisfactory no intelligence having come from that quarter for some time, owing to the vessel with the dispatches having been taken, It seems now however that the Turks have made a more formidable resistance than was expected. 

      I dont hear of any meeting for an address from the County of North[umberlan]d, & as most of the people of property are now in Town it would originate here, hope nothing of the kind will be proposed, it is troublesome & can answer no very good purpose & as most of the leading men in the County are of the other side the question hope it will not take place. A dissolution of Parl[iamen]t is I fear inevitable either about the month of June or in the Autumn & if Ld Grey stands there will be a contest. I am much out of luck as I fully expected this wont be a quiet year & it has now the appearance of being quite otherwise, hope I shall not be <turned> down before the end of May, little Patience was inoculated only yesterday & the change of <air> & the journey about that time will do her good, but for her she could not venture on so long a journey, she will I hope have it <favourably>.

      Am glad to hear from Mr Coulson that he has quite done at Matfen, the house will be quite ready for us in a short time, you will have much for him to do at Chirton, I should think the smell of paint would be troublesome this summer when you return from the South you will I hope pass your time between us & Morpeth. The road is now very tolerable by <B..lsh> Castle. Lady Collingwood must leave Morpeth with regret the walks about it are so charming & the Terrace walk above the river in the Garden must be admired by everyone. The weather is now mild & charming, hope it will continue so for your journey South, fear we shall not meet as we shall probably set out from hence during your stay at <Crowfield>. Mary Anne joins with me in love & best wishes to yourself, Lady Collingwood & young people & believe me Dear Sir yours very affectionately 

      Wm Blackett



Cumberland Place  April 24th 1807