Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 23 Mar 1799

Colonel Beaumont                                                 Newcastle   23rd March  1799

Portman Square   London



D[ea]r Sir        

      Since writing to you the 20th Inst. I observe that the time allowed for making a return of the state of your Income is prolonged to the 5th April on which Account we shall have time to make out a tolerable exact statement of the Profit of the Mines etc on an average of the last five years, which statement on further Consideration should I think be given in at Hexham, should you be of that opinion ? the necessary notice must be given to the Assessors & Commissioners in London & in Yorkshire;  I have desired Mr Bell to come to this place for a day to assist me in forming a statement of the Income arising from your Landed Property in the North;  In case this should meet with the approbation of Mrs Beaumont & yourself the statement of your Income arising from your Yorkshire Landed Estate as well as your Woods must be calculated agreeable to the Act after making the necessary deductions of Annuities etc which are to be noticed in the return, that the Parties may be taxed for the same.  I send you enclosed an extract from a letter that I had from Thos. Emerson Jnr. by which you will see that the Division is likely to go forward without further Opposition , tho’ at the same time it will be necessary that a watchful Eye should be kept least any alteration should be made, or a new Clause introduced when the Bill comes before the Committee.  

      You will observe by the Inclosed that Bollihope Common is left out of the Bill, & for a very good reason when considerably more that one half the Property was against the Division, notwithstanding which Mr J Tweddale wanted you & your Agents to fight his Cause.   I am etc  J. E. B.