Letters – Henry Hardinge to John Erasmus Blackett – 18 Apr 1798

J E Blackett Esqr  Newcastle upon Tyne



Sir	Having heard last Week with much pleasure that Coll Beaumont’s Miners were desirous to contribute for the defence of the Country, I waited upon Mr Emerson & requested that he would allow me to add a contribution from those of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Stanhope who were not employed in Coll Beaumonts Works, & who might be disposed to join in that very laudable purpose, with which request he was so obliging as to comply;  I have accordingly with the assistance of a Church Warden & two of the principle Parishioners raised the sum of £41-17-6, & consigned it to the care of Mr Emerson, to whom I delivered the Account.  I took the opportunity when I was in London last month of paying at the Bank of England the Charge upon me for this year’s new assessment, & afterwards a Voluntary Contribution of £40 in my own name & £10 in the names of my two eldest sons, & of course my contribution in the Parish is considerable less than it otherwise would have been.  I beg leave to mention that I wish to pay the expence of Printing the account in the Newcastle Papers, & have authorised Francis Vickers, the Carrier, to settle with the Printers, especially as my necessary list of Contributors consists of a pretty large number of names.  Mr Emerson will probably not be able to complete & send his account in time for publication this week, but next week will answer nearly as well, for several other Parishes in this part of the country are not yet prepared to publish their Contributions                 I am Sir 

                                                                                                    With Respect etc

Stanhope                                                                                                  H Hardinge

April 18th 1798