Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 8 Feb 1798

Thomas R Beaumont Esqr                                                         Newcastle    8th Feby 1798

       Portman square     London



Dr Sir	I wrote to you the 29th Ulto to which I refer you.  I met the Lead Stewards at Hexham on Monday last & paid them £3000 for Subsistance for the Workmen, & on Monday I shall make the last Lead Carriage Pay amounting to upwards of £900.  I have desired that Mr Emerson’s will take the matter respecting the Division & enclosure of the Commons & Waste lands in Weardale into full consideration, & to state to me the Prejudice that such Division may be to your Concern in that Quarr:  & likewise what Clauses they would recommend for the Preservation of the rights which you at present enjoy by the Lease that you hold under the Bishop of Durham;  I expect to receive it this next week, when I shall lay the same with the Lease before Mr Williamson for his opinion how far it may be in your power to prevent a Division taking place & in case it should not, then to frame such Clauses as may be thought adviseable; when that is done you shall be advised of the same.  I send you enclosed a Copy of the Valuation made at the Abbey etc by Mr Ebdon & Mr Stephenson & likewise a Copy of a Paper delivered to me by Mess Newton being a Charge made by Mr Newton in his Book of Accots for his Journeys Plans Estimates etc.  Mr Ebdon declined giving any opinion on that part of the business, nor do I yet know what he is to be paid for the trouble that he has had; Mr Newton has received from Mr Bell £750 on Accot.  The Masons Carpenters & Plaisterers, are at work on the Abbey, Mr Bell will write to you fully as to that business, to whom I refer you.                                                                             I am etc   J.E.B