Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 15 Mar 1797

Coll Beaumont                                                                         Newcastle    15th March 1797

M.P.       Portman square London



Dr Sir!	I wrote to you the 10th Inst to which I refer you.  We shall be supplied by Mess Surtees & Burdon against Monday next with 20s Notes & Cash for the lending but I have not heard when the Banks open; the length of time that they have been shut, has been a great inconvenience to the Country, as well as to the Trade, and when they do open their credit & Confidence in their Notes will be much affected & the Country will be constantly making application to them for cash or Bank of England Notes in exchange for their Notes;  At this time a circulation of new Copper would be of great service & convenience to the Country, & particularly to your Workmen at the Mines & Mills & would likewise be a means of putting a stop to the circulation of very base Copper coin which we have in such abundance;  Since I have been in business I have frequently had Copper from the Tower, on application being made for it, I wish that your Bankers would apply for 4 or 5 Cwt, & as an inducement to their parting with it, the value may be paid in fine Silver at the current price.  I have no doubt that the Canal Bill will be thrown out, or at least put a stop to for this Sessions;  The Hexham People I understand were much pleased at what you said in the House on the Bill being presented, but you have not answered their letter which I wish you would do.

                                                                                  I am etc   J.E.B

I am selling small quantities of Lead for the Baltick.  Refin’d at £16 Comon at £15-15s per For Litharge at £16-10s per Ton.



P.S.  I have by this days post the favor of Mrs Beaumont’s & your letters;  When I receive Mr Makepiece’s Bill I will settle with him & desire him to pay the Ballance to yourself;  Silver has lately rose in price the last Piece was charged to Mr Makepiece at 5/10 per Oz  I had one from Dukesfield yesterday which Mr Langlands of this place is to have, (I believe) at the same price but in case it is higher in London he is to be governed by it.