Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 6 Jan 1798

Thos R Beaumont Esqr  MP                                               Newcastle  6th Jany 1798

       Bretton  Yorkshire



Dr Sir	

      I am favoured with your letters of the 27th & 29th Ulto  I have at length got the Newton’s to fix a day for Mr Ebdon to meet Mr Stephenson at the Abbey for the purpose of settling the business between you & Mr Newton, I have wrote to Mr Ebdon & if Monday 15th inst should suit him; he is to be with me on the Tuesday evening, it will be necessary that Mr Ebdon should be informed of the nature of the Agreement made with Mr Newton & as Mrs Beaumont & you are the best able to give that information, you will be pleased to state it to me that I may have it in my power to instruct Mr Ebdon;  Mr Newton’s Estimate of Alterations & Repairs to be made at Hexham Abbey as per Plan marked No 2.  Money to be Advanced for carrying on the work etc (as it is entitled) which he gave me (Copy which was sent you)  Should not I think be an guide to Mr Ebdon & Mr Stephenson altho’ the Newton family considers it as a kind of Agreement they lay a good of Stress on it on that account & possibly may instruct Mr Stephenson accordingly _ In my opinion they must either make an Estimate of the Work done from Measurement & of the Materials of Mr Newton’s that are remaining, or they must set a Valuation on all the Timber, Iron Work Nails etc which with the Carriage the Workmanship (or the Wages paid) must be brought into the charge;  Mr Newton’s charge as well for the Plans as that for Attendance of himself & his Son possibly may not be thought proper to be taken into Consideration by the two Persons; the former has been carried into execution in part only, & the Work has not been executed to your satisfaction nor has this inspection of Mr Newton & his Son notwithstanding which I do apprehend that you will be liable for a reasonable charge for both.  Mr Heron has frequently been applied to for his bill for business done previous to the death of Sir Thos Blackett as well as since that time; untill I obtained that it was not in my power to settle with him, he is desired to make out his Bill for both as well as his charge on your Elections; you do not mention the Sum it may be proper to give Mr Williamson for his attendance at Alnwick on that occasion _ I have sold some small Quantities of Lead since the last sales that I advised you of  there is no demand at present & if I make a Sale any time this month it would not come in course of payment before the time of the Lead Pays the end of May.  I am at present at a loss to say what may be the Amount of the next pay, but I hope that the payments to be made for the Lead already sold, with a part of the Sum in your Bankers hands may be sufficient for the Carriage & Lead Pays the Subsistance for the Workmen & other charges

	The Assessed Taxes Certainly will take place the Modifications will require some other Taxes & that proposed to be laid on Lead I have no doubt will be adopted

                                                                                                                     I am etc  J.E.B