Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to William Emm – 6 Aug 1796

Wm Emm Esqr                                                                  Morpeth 6th Augt 1796

      Auckland Castle



Dear Sir!	I am informed by Mr Beaumonts Agents, as well as by Mr Wilson the Rector of Wolsingham that there is now little or no doubt of Lord Burford’s Lessees working Harehope Gill Lead Mine in the Copyhold under the Lord Bishop of Durham, as plainly appears by a Copy of the Surrender of the Copyhold part of Lord Burford’s Estate; as well as by a plan taken by a surveyer employed by Mr Beaumont, founded on the Evidence of some Old Inhabitants, one of whom had formerly been a joint Lessee of that Mine;  As the Mine has for some time past, & is at present very rich, the Lessees give every opposition to any View or inspection that has been attempted, I must therefore desire that you will lay this Matter before the Lord Bishop of Durham & I beg leave to request that his Lordship will be pleased to give directions that Mr Pearson may meet Mr Heron Attorney of Newcastle on the part of Mr Beaumont, & Mr Wilson & his Attorney Mr Surtees on the 22d of this Month at the place, for the purpose of Assertaining the Boundary of the Copyhold etc.

	I am with great respect to the Lord Bishop of Durham

                                                                                    Yours etc      J.E.B