Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 12 Feb 1801

Mrs. Beaumont				Newcastle 12th. Feb.y 1801

under Cover to Coln. Beaumont

Portman Square London.



Dear Madam

      Since my Letter to you of the 5th. inst., nothing further has occurred respecting Harehope Gill; the Award which was sent up to London by Arbitrators, has not yet been returned.-

      I find that Mr. Heron is much hurt, at not receiving a line from you in answer to the two Letters that he wrote you, he certainly has taken a great deal of Pains in that Business.-I hope that Coln. Beaumont is safely arrived in good health; I had the favour of a Letter from him, but as he proposed leaving Ireland in a few Days, and I had wrote to you on Business, I did not trouble him with a Letter, nor do I at this time, as his present Engagement must engross most of his time.-

      I enclose you Copy of a Letter that I received from Mr. Hunter, he is to be with me on Saturday to meet Mr. Mulcaster on Business, when I shall give him Directions to get the necessary Repairs done, & to employ the Person that has the Care of the planting at Allenheads to fill up the Spaces where the Plants have failed, or been destroyed.

      As a Number of the Carriagemen are making Application for Money on Account of their Leadings, I have thoughts of paying early in March, not only the Lead Carriage, but the Ore, which usually was not paid until the great Pay in May; this will be of great Service to them, be an encouragement to them to commence leading very early, and be a means of preventing the Halls & Co. from enticing your Carriagemen to quit your employ; besides it is done both by the Lead Company and the Hospital; it will of Course reduce the Sum for the pay in May, and I hope that you will have no Objection to it.-

      Mr. Emerson Jr. writes me, that Breckonsike and Burtreepasture Groves are likely to raise Ore very well, the latter has been very poor and expensive, but is now come in very hopeful at the <f>ound; Puddingthorn and Rogers Well, both continue good, but they have not yet got them opened out so as to employ many Men at them.   I am in Treaty with the Agents of the Bishop of Durham for the renewal of the Lease of Kilhope & Welhope and of Lintzgarth in Weardale by the Insertion of a new Life in the place of the late Richard Brooke of Bretton. I have taken the Liberty of naming your Son Mr. Wentworth Beaumont, who I hope may outlive many a Bishop, when I know the terms demanded, you shall be informed.   Pray what is your Opinion of this Change of Ministry?

      I am &c.  J.E.B.

      

Mr. J. Bell has wrote to me for Money to pay Surtees & Brown’s Note for Timber, Mr. Cookson’s for Fire Grates, your Subscription for the Poor, and Donation at Christmas, and Money to pay the Workmen; I have sent him £250 - - Wheat at Hexham on Tuesday was 17s.1d. pr. Bushel, Barley 9s/.d oats 8s/.d - - -Soup Kitchens are established at this Place, for the poor, supported by the more opulent Householders & Persons in Trade; I submit it to you whether it would not be proper that Coln. Beaumont should subscribe.