Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 30 Apr 1798

Coll Beaumont                                                                      Newcastle    30th Apr 1798

MP    Portman square     London



Dr Sir	

      I wrote to you the 14th inst to which I refer you.  the only sale that I have made since that time is 3000 Pieces of Lead to C.B. one half refined at £15 per For payable in Bills due in six months;  I offered Mr Chris Blackett the like quantity at 7 months credit but he declined it;  I wait for Mr Lancaster’s answer whether he will take 3 or 6000 ps on the same terms;  Mr Fishwick declined my offer to Walkers & Co unless they were allowed nine months credit, which I told him could not possibly be complied with;  Notwithstanding this reduction in the price there is little or no demand, this shews you the present situation of the Trade.  I expect the Lead Stewards down on the 13th May they receive the Money to make the several Pays the 14th & I shall go with them to Dukesfield the day followg.  The Contributions amongst your Miners & Smelters in Aid of Government (which I mentioned to you in a former letter) has been sent down to me amounting to about £150 the particulars of which you will see in the next NCastle Paper, I hope that the measure may have a good effect as it is giving them a kind of consequence & binding them to the cause which I think you will approve of,  I had a very handsome letter on the occasion from Mr Hardinge the Rector of Stanhope (which I enclose you) & he has sent down upwards of £50 with Mr Emerson’s Collection;  A letter of thanks etc from you, I think would please him.  Mr Newton died yesterday noon which is a fortunate event for himself, as well as for his family, considering the melancholy & hope less state that he has been in for some time past; his family can now settle their affairs which there was a difficulty in doing in the state he was in.     I am etc   J.E.B

      The Port ships are expected daily, do you want any wine for the Abbey?

	Just before I closed my letter Mr Tweddale called on me in his return from Hexham; he mentioned an alteration at the Abbey which strikes me forcibly which is to appropriate that part where the stables were to a Brewhouse, Washhouse & Laundry with lodging rooms for Servants & to have the stables where the Tithe barn is it may be fitted up at a small expence & the inconvenience of the stables so near the house removed, I think that Mrs Beaumont & yourself will approve of it.