Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 2 Jul 1799

Colonel Beaumont                                                 Newcastle  2nd July  1799

Bretton, Wakefield Yorkshire



D[ea]r Sir        

      I this day was favored with your letter of the 30th Ult. which was too late to take any step at the Meeting at Hexham this morning respecting the new branch proposed from the Hexham Turnpike road at Corbridge to join the Carlisle road at Headon on the Wall; I acquainted you in a former Letter of the Benefit I was of opinion that it would be to you in a part of your Lead Carriage, as well as the great Benefit which it must be to the Town of Hexham on which Account I would recommend that your Subscription should be £300 . .  for which Sum you will have a security on the Tolls of this Branch of the Road;  Since I wrote to you Mr Biggs has subscribed £200.  I was very much surprized to find by the Act lately passed for the Division of the Moors & Stinted Pastures in Weardale that a very material part of the Clause in the printed Copy of the Bill (which was agreed to at the Meeting) & was sent up to you & you were desired to be on your guard that no Alterations were made in it, is omitted, Viz: “And that without paying any Damages or making any Satisfaction”  whatsoever for so doing Mr Scruton the Solir. is certainly very blamable for this Omission which appears to be done designedly, & tho’ I hope that no bad Consequences may arise from it, yet it leaves an opening for Contest, & it was what Mr Williamson went up to Weardale about once or twice solely on that Account & it was with Difficulty that he could at length bring the Meeting to consent to that Clause;  Nothing more could be done with us, for your Interest & if you have recourse to my Letter of the 29th Jany 98 you will observe that I strongly recommended it to you to be on your guard that the Printed Bill which was agreed to at the Meeting should not be altered; Mr Williamson is much hurt on this occasion, & indeed I think that you have been very unhandsomely treated.  

           I am etc    J E B 

I should be glad to know when you propose being at this Place.