Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 11 Feb 1796

Thos Rd Beaumont Esqr                                                            NewCastle    11th Feby 1796

       Portman square London



Dear Sir	

      I met the Lead Stewards at Hexham on Monday & paid them £4480 for Subsistance for the Workmen, who are at present quiet, & well satisfied with the increased Subsistance, & the weekly supply of Corn; There is little alteration in the State of the Mines; for these six Months past they have been poorer, but I hope they are in a way to improve.  Mr Carr was indisposed which prevented his meeting me; I acquainted him with the Allowance that you proposed to make him, & the alteration that takes place respecting the school etc with which I have no doubt that he will be well satisfied; I likewise settled that matter with the two Agents Mr Crawhall, & Mr Dickinson; Since my return I received the enclosed from the Church Wardens of Allendale; I shall write to Mr Carr, & Mr Dickinson for further information as to that matter, & acquaint you with the result.  There is a Corn Mill & some Houses on a small Estate close adjoining your Lead Mill near Allendale Town, there have been frequent disputes with the Proprietor respecting the Mill race as the Water may be taken of your Lead Mill, it will be necessary to repair & enlarge the Slag Hearth & to build a Turf-house which cannot be done for want of room  The present Rental of the Estate, Mill, etc is £55 per Annm the Owner asks for it £1300 he has refused £1200 but I have reason to think he will accept of £1260.  Your Lead Agents strongly recommend it to you to make the Purchase, great part of the Land is very good, the convenience will be great, Mr Hunter says the Rent exclusive of every convenience for your Works will be £60 per Annum Mr Bell & myself are of the same opinion that it will be a very desirable Purchase for the reasons that I have given; Should you approve of it? be pleased to acquaint me, it may be either annexed to the entailed Estate, or not, as you may think proper.  From the nearest calculations that the Lead Stewards can make at present, The Mine & Mill Pays in the 2d Week in May will amount to about £56,000

	I took a View of the Gate Way leading to the Abbey, & it appears to me that it will be highly necessary that something should be done immediately to prevent a great part of it falling down; the Ribs of the Arches are perfect, but the stones on which one of the Ribs rests, have given way; a Buttrace on the South west & the soil which has Accumulated for some time removed from the Top, as it lays a stress on that part of the Arch, will secure it for a trifle; Wood props are placed for the present.        I am with respect etc  J.E.B