Letters – Thomas Blackett to John Wentworth – 26 Dec 1778

								Bretton, Decr. 26th 1778

Dear Sir,

      I can only return you my cordial thanks for the trouble you have taken in sending me news, dispatches and American Papers for it is out of my power & Yorkshire to furnish anything like them. Fate and time will certainly produce some good, and some bad, but our Ministers & Co: are bewitched to promote only the latter.

      It may be uncommon now a days to mention a wife to a Husband, but excuse me for once; when I desire you to make my best respects to her with ten thousand thanks for her comp[limen]ts and elegant, Eloquent, grateful and affect[iona]te expressions, comprehending all of you, therefore do me the honor to suppose the same in the group as my pen can not make better and as your bumpers increased daily, you will have a merry house soon, so I shall be glad to partake with you, the first opportunity, I am oblig’d to you for y[ou]r enquiry about lead but you may save yourself any further trouble for Mr. Blackett my principal Agent has been here and tells me that he sells all in Newcastle.

      Dr. Perkins and Mr. Thomas came here on St Thomas day. I said nothing to them of your Acc[oun]t supposing them sufficiently informed of every thing.

      We were 26 at dinner but not all Thomas’s – Fine open weather for hunting, my hounds killed 3 hares one morning.

      Lord Strafford will be in town soon.

      I am, Dear Sir,	Your Most Obedt. Humble Servant

      T. Blackett