Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to John Tweddel – 23 Jul 1797

John Tweddel Esqr                                                                   Newcastle   23d July 1797

        Unthank  near Haltwhistle



Dear Sir	I am informed by Mr Bell of Hexham that endeavours have been used to set aside the Poor Rate for the Parish of Allendale & rating the Lead Mill & their Profits arising therefrom at the very enormous sum of £3000 per Annum which certainly is out of all kind of reason;  In some years the Lead Mills have scarce yielded any Profit, & before some little improvements were made at that Mill, it was under lease to Mess Hopper & Monkhouse for 21 Years at £6 per Ann.  The Hospital Mill & Refinery which is larger than that of Mr Beaumont’s is rated (as Mr Walton informs me) at £100 per Ann & in that proportion we should have no objection to it, but can not possibly submit to that enormous rate, or any thing nigh it.  As the rate is to go before you to be allowed, I have taken the liberty of writing to you on the subject                             I am etc   J.E.B