Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to William Chayter – 2 Nov 1797

William Chayter Esqr                                                                  Newcastle   2d Novr 1797

  Pennithorn near Middleham Yorkshire



Sir	I understand that it is the intention of the Minister to propose a Tax on Lead smelted at the Mill, or on the Ore at the Mine, & to subject it to the Excise laws, either of which Modes of taxing it will be very burthensome to the trade, as well as a great discouragement to the Mining Concerns in this Kingdom;  Applications having been made by the Excise Officers to the Agents at the several Lead Mills in this Country, in Derbyshire and in Scotland for an exact account of the quantity & weight of the Lead smelted at each Mill during the space of the last year, I directed the Agents of Mr Beaumont not to comply with the requisition untill the matter was fully considered;  Should such a tax be proposed? will it not be adviseable to have a Meeting of the Mine Proprietors at some Centrical place (as Middleham) to take this matter into full Consideration that they may be prepared to offer such arguments against the measure as may (if not totally prevent its taking place) at least may remove some of the most objectionable parts of it & cause it to be the less burthensome to the Mining concerns.  I go tomorrow to Harrogate for three weeks & shall be happy to be favoured with your Sentiments on this business directed to the Dragon         I am etc  J.E.B