Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 29 Jan 1797

Thos Rd Beaumont Esqr                                                               Newcastle    29th Jany 1797

M.P.       Portman square London



Dr Sir!	

      I wrote to you the 15th Inst to which I refer you.  On friday last I had a good deal of conversation with Mr Burdon on the business that you mentioned to me in your last letter; I satisfied him that I had not lost any opportunity of making a Sale of Lead, even at a reduced price, but that in the present situation of the trade I did not think it adviseable to submit to nine Months Credit in which he was of my opinion; the only offer made me was for 5000 Ps Lead, & had they come to six months Credit, it would have been an inducement to me to accept their offer, but the trade can not be carried on giving so long credit; The Lead Company & other Proprietors agree in the same.  I do not apprehend that the London buyers are in present want of Lead as upwards of 20,000 Ps of their last purchase still remains at Blaydon, What is to be done in the present situation of the Lead trade, having an eye on the Pay being made in May, or June?  I am at a loss to say.

	Mr & Mrs Allgood, Mr Emerson Junr & (the Bishops Game Keeper) were with me on Monday each party were very much irritated , I heard all their complaints, & after taking great pains to reconcile them, I at length effected it, but I have my doubts how long they may continue cordial; Coulthard & Kidd are employed again, & I understand that they are sensible that they have behaved ill etc.  The Miners at Alston the other day assembled to the number of about 200 they proposed to lay that part of the country under Contribution & had named the Persons, & the sums the insisted on having (your Agent Dickinson £20) they proposed proceeding to Penrith to join the rioters in that place & neighbourhood; to oppose the Supplementary Militia Act being carried into execution; The Lead Company’s Agents with Dickinson & a number of persons met them, & after having explained the matter to them prevailed on them to disperse.  I expected to have had a meetg with Mr Newton & Johnson the Mason last sunday, but Mr Newton having a violent return of his disorder, prevented me, I shall however see Johnson in a few days for I do not think that Mr Newton is likely to recover.  Mr Westgarth Forster has been very ill for some days, Doctor Clerk was sent for to him yesterday; A small estate of Mr Forsters was advertised to Sale by his directions to Mr Bell, who I hope has taken some security from Forster for the debt owing you; I have wrote again to Mr Bell about it.  Mr Heron goes up to Town in a Week or ten days to solicit the Bill for the Canal on the North side of the Tyne; from the strong opposition that will be made to it, I am of opinion that it cannot pass this Sessions; A meeting of the Subscribers is to be held the 7th Inst at Turners, when it is thought that a number of Subscribers will withdraw their subscriptions; I shall attend it, and advise you of the result of the Meeting etc.

                                                                                                        I am etc   J.E.B

T R Beaumont Esqr