Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Middleton Hewitson – 14 Apr 1804

							N.Castle April 14th. 1804

Dear Sir

      I have been favoured with your Mr. Croft’s Letter and observe with Regret the very severe Accident you have lately sustained & most heartily wish you a speedy Recovery.-

      I observe the Sales that you have made to London & have little Doubt but what you say in regard to the London Market being bare of Lead, is strictly correct.   Mr. Walker’s Refusal of the Lead you mention, may in some Measure be accounted for by the Supplies they have lately had from this Place, their House here having shipped for London since Christmas about 13,000 ps., a great part of which I apprehend to have been sent to their London House.-

      I have lately sold to Walkers Ward & Co. 3,000 ps. ½ Ref.[ine]d & ½ Com.[mo]n at £30 ½ p[er] Fo.[dde]r; I have since sold to Mr. Locke 2,500 ps., Doubleday & Co. 1500 ps. & smaller Quantities to the other Manufacturers after the same Rate, for Exportation &c.; I have lately obtained £31 & £32 p[er] Fo’[dde]r – 

      I look upon Mr. Ellill to be a safe responsible Man; he has always been punctual in his Payments to me. – I have lately sold him 100 Casks Litharge & certainly should not scruple to sell him a further Quantity