Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 16 Mar 1799

Thomas Rd Beaumont Esq                                                Newcastle  16th March  1799

Portman Square   London



D[ea]r Sir        

      I wrote to you on the 12th & 13th Inst. to which I refer you.  On writing to Mr Bell about the appointment of a Clerk I had yesterday a letter from him (a Copy of which I inclose you) on shewing the letter to Mr Heron he strongly recommends your not giving up the Matter; Your claim is not as Lord of the Manor but as Rector; the Bishop has certainly been imposed on by a misrepresentation, & when the Matter is fairly stated to him I have no doubt that he will give it up;  In the appointment of a Clerk it would be well that proper attention was paid to the Moral Character of the Person, as well as to his qualification as to Voice etc.  I do mean that it is necessary that he should Sing a good Song.

      Pray let me know as soon as you conveniently can in what manner you intend to redeem your Land-tax?  Whether by a Transfer of Stock that you have already in the 3 Per Cent Consol? or by purchasing into that Stock.   I am with respect etc J. E. B.