Letters – John Bell to John Erasmus Blackett – 25 Jul 1797

Sir                                      Hexham Abbey  July 25th.  1797

      I have wrote to Mr. Tweddle this morning by a Special Messenger acquainting him that Mr. Beaumont is willing to pay for Allen Mill in the same Proposition that Greenwich Hospital pays but not more at the same time stating to Mr. Tweddle that Blagill Mill that is rated at £100 a Year contains three Ore Hearths one Slag Hearth and Two Refineries and that Allen Mill contains only One Ore one Slag and one Litharge Hearth or Reducing Furnace and one Refinery

      Allen Mill was only £3-3-0 a Year on a Lease for 21 Years and not £6 you will therefore please set that Matter right with Mr. Tweddle if you have mentioned it because I have said in my Letter to Mr. Tweddle it was let to Monkhouse and Hopper for £3-3-0 so that if our Accounts contradict each other he will suppose I have imposed upon him and endeavoured to mislead him which I should be sorry for

      It is very odd how Peoples Ideas differ with respect to the Value of such Property as Smelt Mills for Dukesfield Mills that are the best and have the most Conveniences of any in the Country are rated in Slaley Parish at no more than £10 a Year

      Wishing Mrs. Collingwood and her little ones a good Journey a happy Meeting with their Friends in Scotland a safe return home and yourself a perfect Reestabisment of your Health  I remain

            Sir   Your most obed. Servt.

            	John Bell