Letter – Isaac Hunter to John Erasmus Blackett – 10 Oct 1777

      Dukesf’d. 10th  Octobr 1777

J.E. Blackett Esq. Newcastle



Sir,

      Inclosed you have the Month Accots for the several Mills and the Accot. of the Lead refined for the last plate of silver which I hope you recd. safe on the 27 Ult. I see by the papers that Lintsgarth Farm the property of the late Mr Hutchinson is to be let at Allandale town on the 22d inst. and I hear that  Mr Whelpdale who’s left executor, has signified that if the Tenant that takes it has not great advantage by Rookhope Mill, that He’ll pull her down. I suppose that when that Mill was removed nearer the Inclosers that it had been from a complaint that it would be injurious to that farm that had made Sr Wr. Blackett take a Lease of it at £16 per year which expired mayday 1761. its now let at £43 & I imagine that it will not give the present rent which makes him threaten the destruction of the Mill; it would be very prejudicial to the Business for any have a right to privileges at the Mill by farming that Farm and if you think he can molest Her, would it be proper to have the Farm Viewed by a judge before the day of letting and to bid or have some to bid the full value of the Ground as if there was no Smelt Mill near it.

      I was at Allanheads and Rookhope Mills yesterday and think they will finish smelting all Sir J. Trevelyan’s Ore at both these mills against the 14 or 15 inst. should like to have the Accot. from you against then, of the things that the Lawyers fix’d upon to be Valued, as I would then set about getting a fresh Value put upon them at all the Mills – Will it be proper to have an Agent (from other Works) that has been long experienced with SmeltMills with two or three skilfull Workmen to assist in valuing the utensils &c at the Mills?

      We shall compute the Quantity of Lead that the Slags, Black Slags and Ore Tails at each Mill will yield, and the expence per Ton to be laid down at Blaydon and then you can value the Lead according to the sorts.    

      I am Yrs &c   IH:Jr