Letters – Robert Mulcaster to John Erasmus Blackett – 1 Dec 1799

      Blaydon 1st December 1799

Sir

      The Overseer of the Poor of Winlaton Township has been with me this afternoon to aquaint me that application has been made to him by several of the principal Inhabitants of the Township to request a meeting of the Lords of Winlaton Agents, and of all the occupiers of lands within the Township for the purpose of taking into consideration some mode of relieving the Poor Inhabitants of the Township who they believe are suffering want from the present high price of the necessaries of life

	At this meeting I understand it is meant to propose adopting the mode taken here in the year 1795, which was to raise a fund by a collection of 6d in the pound according to the Rack rent of all lands within the Township 4d of which was then paid by the Proprietor of the Lands & 2d in the pound by the Occupier   with the money then raised, Rie [rye], or Rie meal, or Barley, Barley Meal, Oat meal and Potatoes were by a committee appointed purchased as low as possible, and sold out in small quantities weekly to Indigent persons for ready money by & at reduced prices until the whole Fund was exhausted according to the Present Rental of Winlaton Township 6d in the pound will raise about £100 it was less in the year 1795 yet for more than six months gave great relief to the Poor, the Persons then appointed a committee charging nothing for their Trouble and acting with such impartiality as to give universal Content.

	My answer to the Overseer was that as an occupier of land within the Township the Proposal [has] my hearty Assent but with regard to what might be expected from Mr Beaumont as a Proprietor of land within the Township I could say nothing until I had direction from you, which Sir I request you to give me if you conveniently can some time before Thursday next.

	By the state of the Refinery left at the office on Saturday you will see we has [have] a near 800 ps [pieces] refined lead unsold, but still want near 1900 pieces of common Lead, which circumstances considered I doubt we will be long in getting. By a letter I received last week from Mr C Blacketts Clerk which I inclose I see Common Lead does not suit Lock. Blackett & Co factory their order is for 1000 ps with the usual quantity of slag, 1000 ps of which I have only delivered them 18 ps <common & 9 ps> slag, perhaps if that order was cancelled and another in in its room for 2000 ps all refined given it might suit all Parties & others, only it would loose the sale of 100 ps of slag lead of which we have plenty -    if this alteration took place I would not fear compleating in the course of the present month all the orders in my hand and would reduce the want of common lead to about 900 ps  hope you will pardon my freedom in suggesting the above to your consideration and I remain your very humble sert [servant]

      Robt Mulcaster