Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Diana Beaumont – 28 Jan 1801

Mrs. Beaumont						Newcastle 28th. Jan.y 1801

under Cover to Coln Beaumont

Portman Square London



Dear Madam

      I wrote to you the 26th. ulto. since which I am favoured with your Letter of the same date and I observe the Contents; I am not surprised that the Decision of the Arbitrators is some little Disappointment to you, as that part of the Mine which has been so productive, has been deemed to be Freehold, & consequently the Lessees of the Mine not amountable for the Produce for the Produce, on which Account the Damages are trifling, but there was no getting the better of the Evidence which they brought forward, tho’ in my Opinion it was very much strained to carry their Point; the Measures which (in my last Letter)  I recommended, will I think be necessary to be adopted; and in Case of any Application being made by the Lessees of the Freehold to you and Coln. Beaumont for a Lease of any part of the Copyhold; it will be highly advisable to have that Matter very well considered before any Lease or Permission be granted; I should recommend your Working that part of the Copyhold where the Forehead of their Working points to, in Case it can be done at a moderate Expence, without the Use of their Levels, otherwise it may be thought advisable to grant them a Lease of such part.-

      I am of Opinion that your Tithes at Hexham should not be leased to any Person or Persons; that they be annually valued by an understanding Man, not a resident in the Place, a fair and moderate value set on them to be offered to the several Proprietors who will be ready to take their own Tithes; by this Method I am of Opinion that they will have them, at a lower rate, than if they were taken of Mr. Ruddock, Leadbitter and Gibson, who certainly made an Advantage of them, the People will be better pleased and you will receive a higher rent.-

      On Mr. Mulcaster going to Allen Mill & examining into the Matter that I mentioned, he did not find that any thing improper had been done, and since W. Dixons appointment to that Mill the Business has gone forward very well. – 

      Mr.  Bell informs me that Mr. I. Hunter can not make you a little to that very small Space of Ground at Dukesfield Mill, without the Consent of his Uncle Surtees his Trustee, as well as the Mortgage, I shall speak to Mr. Ant.y Surtees about it.-

      Isaac Hunter has not yet disposed of his Share in the Brewery, consequently not paid his £900 – neither has Mr. Silvertop yet paid the rent of grand Lease Colliery, nor Mrs. Forster discharged her Bond. both of whom shall be applied to.   Major Addenbrooke paid £69.6.- for eleven Weeks Rent of Mr. Bates’s House, he being allowed £8.0.0 for the Field being quite bare, and making very little or no Use of it for Genl. Balfour; and Mr. Bates has been paid £4.0.3 for sundry Articles broke and missing as valued by Dobson or his Foreman.-

      I am glad to hear that you got up to town as well with your young Folks without suffering the least from Fatigue or taking Colds, and I hope that your next Letter may advise me of Coln. Beaumont’s safe Arrival in good Health, - I do assure you that I never once heard that false and malicious Report you mention, of Coln. Beaumonts Regt. having suffered in crossing the Sea, had it been mentioned I certainly would have contradicted it.

								I am &c. J.E.B.