Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Isaac Hunter – 10 Jun 1800

Mr. Isaac Hunter					Newcastle 10th. June 1800

Dukesfield



Sir

      I have given Directions that no Tickett shall be given for the Delivery of Corn for the Workmen without a Letter from the Agent not from the Carrier, or the Miller as has been done, & that Corn to be delivered out at the Discretion of the Agent, and a Particular Account to be kept of the same by you, I must likewise desire that a Copy of the enclosed Paper may be pasted or nailed up at each Corn Mill where any Corn is ground for the Workmen and that you do give the Miller Notice, that in Case of his not complying strictly with the Act of Parliament that he will be prosecuted at the Expence of Colonel Beaumont * [in margin] * a Copy of the above is sent to Mr. Crawhall Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Emerson

      It is with Concern that I find so small a Quantity of Lead is yet brought down to Blaydon particularly the 8 Sto. Pieces, so that the Refinery will be again at a stand for want of Refinable Lead which must be attended with considerable Loss; Coln. & Mrs. Beaumont was at Blaydon the other Day, they complained to me of it, and said they would write to you on the Occasion.   I do not understand that any agreement is yet made with the Lead Carriage, which makes me uneasy & I fear much that we shall loose many of them; We must not stand with them for even a further Advance than that we talked of, for at all Events the Lead must be got down to Market or we shall loose the Sale of it, when the Price is so high, be prevented making the Pays at the usual Time, and be under the disagreeable Necessity of reducing the Workings and discharging a Number of the Workmen on which Account I must beg of you to exert yourself, not only to get the Lead down, but the Ore to the several Lead Mills during these five Months, even tho’ a Considerable advance be given which may induce new Carriagemen to engage.  If this be not done without Loss of Time, you will at Dukesfield Mills be as unfortunately circumstancd as you were four Months this Year, which never was the Case before; For what reason is the working at Allenheads Mill discontinued? when so large a Quantity of Ore is wrought and on the Spot, & no want of Water at present If Sparkes Son is not capable of conducting it, a proper Person must be engaged.   I am &c. J.E.B.