Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 27 Jan 1799

Colonel Beaumont MP                                                            NCastle  27 Jany.  1799

Portman square  London



D[ea]r Sir    I wrote to you of the 20th Inst. to which I refer you, I have since had a good deal of Conversation with Mr Williamson respecting the Division of the Commons & Stinted Pastures in Weardale, he is of opinion that a Clause in the Bill giving you (as Lessee under the B[isho]p) full power to work etc the Mines within the Stinted Pastures, as well as the Commons, in as full & ample a manner in every respect, without being subject to the Payment of any Damage whatever, as in the time of the late Lessees, that such a clause, (of which he shall approve) will be fully sufficient to answer your purpose, & much better than specifying the particular modes of carrying on that concern & that such general Clause will entirely put an end to any disputes of the kind for the future, but he strongly recommends it to you, that on the Bill being sent up to Town, or when before the House, that you do not give your consent to any alteration that may be proposed to you, without consulting your Lawyers etc.  The late Sir Walter Blackett had two Councils Annually retained; I never could prevail on Sir Thomas Blackett to retain any one, as he said that he did not intend to go to Law, & if he should be forced to it, that one Lawyer was as good as another; I have frequently intended to recommend your retaining Mr Williamson who is certainly a very able Lawyer, as well as a most Worthy honest Man, & unless retained by you, would be at liberty to be employed for the Harehope Gill Lessees, or any concern against you, & he could not with propriety refuse it; in consequence of which I have given him in your name a general retaining fee of five Guineas,  I hope that Mrs Beaumont & you may approve of this sum.  I have not yet received from Mr Bell the Schedule of the Land tax for the Lands etc under his management, so as to obtain a Certificate from the Commissioners of the Land tax to enable me to treat with the Commiss[ione]rs for the Sale, but I expect it soon, when that matter will be proceeded in of which I shall advise you,    I am etc  J E B