Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 13 Dec 1797

Coll Beaumont                                                                         Newcastle  13th Decemr 1797

MP Bretton    Wakefield  Yorkshire



Dr Sir	At my return from Hexham yesterday Noon I received your favor of the 10th inst & I am glad to hear that you found Mrs Beaumont & the Children all in good health.  As I found there were only five of Mr Newtons joiners at work at the Abbey finishing the materials they had there, I postponed giving him, or them, a discharge untill I heard further from you in answer to my last letter, & I again repeat that I foresee a very great difficulty in getting this business settled with Mr Newton;  Should Mr Ebdon (after having your instructions) take a View of the Work etc it appears that Mr Newton would not abide by his Report, neither would you (its probable) be determined by that of Mr Stephenson;  If Mr Tweddale can be spared I think that it would be advisable for him (after having your full instructions) to come over, & meet Mr Ebdon & Mr Stephenson at the Abbey; in case Mr Tweddale can not with convenience come over, Mr Bell may have your Instructions how to Act; after the business is settled & you have done with Mr Newton, would you approve of continuing Smith the present foreman of Mr Newton to carry on the work in the same Capacity as he is at present?  I understand that he is very desirous of it, & that he is a sober, diligent, good Workman; you will please to favour me with your Answer.  I paid your Lead Stewards £3680 for Subsistance for the Workmen, & to make payments for Wood.  The Mines were much in the same state as when the Stewards were last down.  I hope that the proposed tax on Lead is abandoned by the Minister.                                                                       I am etc  J.E.B