Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 28 Jan 1798

Thomas R Beaumont Esqr                                                         Newcastle    28th Jany 1798

       Portman square     London



Dr Sir	

      I am favoured with your Lre of the 26th inst inclosing the Bishop of Durham’s letter to you respecting the inclosure of the Common & waste lands in Weardale;  Such a measure I have no doubt will be very injurious to your Concerns in those parts, & it requires some serious consideration before you give the Bishop an answer to his letter;  I propose being at Hexham on Monday the 5th Feby to meet the Lead Stewards, & I shall then hear their arguments against the measure, at my return I shall lay the Lease before Mr Williamson for his opinion as to the ground you may have to go on for the purpose of opposing the Bill (should it be thought advisable) for its clear that the Bishop has given his consent, & will use his interest towards carrying it forward;  Should he be of opinion (which I think will be the case) that any opposition from you & the small free & Copyholders will have little or no Effect, it will in that case be matter of consideration what Clauses it may be advisable for you to Propose for the preservation of your rights, etc under the Lease that you hold of the Bishop, & likewise those liberties enjoyed by the small free & Copyholders as far as you may have it in your power.  I have not seen or heard from Mr Ebdon since I wrote to you.

                                                                                                      I am etc  J.E.B

	In a letter from Mr Bell (an extract of which I send you) he complains much of the Battens sent by Mr W Surtees & Co.  I shall shew Mr Surt[ees] the letter.