Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 22 Aug 1797

Thomas Richard Beaumont Esqr                                                   Newcastle    22nd Augt 1797

M.P. Bretton  near Wakefield  Yorkshire



Dr Sir	I wrote to you the 15th inst to which I refer you.  Your Lead Stewards have this day been with me for Subsistance for the Workmen; the Mines are much in the same state they were when the Stewards were down last, not any improvement, some new trials are making of which they have great hopes.  I have advanced the price of Lead a little the small quantities that I have sold have been at £16 per For for Comon £16-5 for Refd £16-10 & £16-15 per Ton for Litharge; an advance of price will depend on the prospect there may be of a Peace, should that be unfavourable? I fear that the present price can not be maintained; I hope during the course of next Month to make a Sale to the London Houses, & I could wish to sell 40,000 Pieces of Lead.  I have seen Newton Junr who will write to you more fully respecting the expence of making the entrance to the Abbey at the west front etc.  I observed by the Papers that Mr Gray had given one Guinea to the Prisoners in the Goal at this place, I have done the like for you                                      I am etc   J.E.B