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

Col Beaumont                                                                      Newcastle  28 Octr 1798

M.P.  Bretton  Wakefield Yorkshire



Dr Sir	

      I wrote to you on the 26th Instt at the request of Mr Newburn in favor of his Brother; I have since been favored with your Lre of the 26th Instt by which I observe that Mr John Donkin has made Mr Bell an offer of £200 per Year for the Collieries of St John Lee & St Oswald which surprises me much; as in his Lre to me of the 16th Inst he writes “In case of Sir Edward Blacketts engaging & pursuing it for his own use Mr Errington would not scruple to wish him all manner of Success.”  Now Mr Errington was very sensible that it was for the sole use of Sir Edwd Blackett & that his motive for taking the Colliery of St Johnlee or Longish was the advantage that he might derive from his Leadmine Level which advantage Mr Errington (notwithstanding his declaration by Mr Donkin) is endeavouring to deprive him of, however he may be disappointed, for altho’ the great advanced Rent cannot be made of those Collieries, I am inclined to believe that Sir Edward will give it, of which I shall advise you in a few days. & I wish that the like advance was to take place on all your Farms etc. 	Since you left this place I have sold 10,000 Ps Lead half Refd @ £15-10s per For payable in Six Mos & 200 Casks Lith @ £16-10 per Ton which quantity it will not be in my power to deliver this Year, the Lead Compy & G Hospital sold at the same price all Refd, and the stocks at present at Market are very trifling; the late Success of our Fleet will I expect occasion a considerable demand for Lead in the Ports of Italy & the Lavant.  I shall be at Hexham on Monday the 12th Novr to meet the Lead Stewards with Money for the Workmen’s Subsistance.                                 I am etc   J.E.B