Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Charles Bowns – 24 Apr 1801

Chas. Bowns Esqr.						N.Castle 24th. April 1801

Bank-top, near Barnsley, Yorkshire



Sir

      I am favoured with your Letter of the 19th. inst. and observe the Contents.-

      So far as I am capable of judging of the Hexham & Allendale Inclosure Act, I am quite of your Opiunion respecting Mr. Leek’s Allotment, & I have in Consequence acquainted Mr. J. Bell, that in case of Mr. Leek’s not taking the Benefit of the Clause in the Act that you allude to, that I should recommend your Advice to be followed, that Colonel Beaumont should lend the Money upon Mortgage in the Manner which you have pointed out.-

      I have lately been in Treaty with the Agents of the Bishop of Durham for the renewal of the Lease of  Kilhope & Welhope in Weardale, and of Lintzgarth in Rookhope, by putting in a new Life in the Place of the late Richard Brooks, I have had some Meetings with Mr. Mowbray on that Business, but the Terms which he proposes, appear to me so very unreasonable, that I cannot recommend it to Colonel Beaumont to accede to them; I have acquainted him with it, & you will probably hear from him on the Subject.   Colonel Beaumont’s Lead Agents have been with me this Morning for Subsistence Money for the Workmen;   I am sorry to say that the Mines are not at present in an improving State and that there is very small Demands for Lead at present.    

      I am &c.- J.E.B.