Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 1 Jun 1779

Sir Thomas Blackett Barot                                                           Newcas     1st June 1779

   Bretton near Wakefield

      Yorkshire



Dear Sir

	I am favoured with your Letter of the 24th Ulto acknowledging the Receipt of a Bill for £500.  Mr Bell was here Yesterday & paid me £700 on account of Hexham Rents.  As you desire a Remittance I send you inclosed a Bill drawn by Bell Cookson & Co on Castell & Co at 40d dated this day for £500 the Receipt of which you will please to acknowledge.  I would avoid if possible applying for Money but am at present in Advance about £1000.  The Lead Trade is indeed very bad at present & the Payments very long.

	I Yesterday sold Doctor Hall 12000 ps Lead at £12.10s.0d p Fother half the quantity to be refined.  This Price, tho low, is above the Stockton markets for their best Lead is equal, if not superior, to your refined at the Holland Markets; Indeed I was under a Necessity of selling to enable me to make the necessary Payments.

	About the Middle of August I propose making the Lead Mills Pay at Dukesfield - it will amount to upwards of £7000 & Should have been made in the Spring but was postponed on Account of the State of the Lead Trade.  I observe what you say with respect to Mr Ords Application for the seat at Saint Nicholas Church when I see him shall acquaint him with your Answer; in the mean Time I shall prevent his repairing & new lining the Seat.

	Lord Adam Gordon, who is sent to command the Troops in the North called on me the other day & desired me to present his Compliments to you requesting the favour of the use of one of your Stables & Stand for his Carriage.  he talks of taking a House within a few Miles of this Town when his Lady the Dutchess  of Athol comes down.  At present we have the Huntingdonshire Militia at this place they go soon to Morpeth & Alnwick & the Northumberland Militia to Beverly.  The 25th Regimt Lancer’s are on their March here & its said we are to have the Lancashire Militia.  I shall settle with & satisfy Mr Wilson if you think proper in the same manner that Sir John Trevelyn does Mr Fawcett; but do you mean that I should pay him for any other Business.

	You would see an Account in the Papers of the late Captures made the 22d instant within Sight of Timmouth by four French Privateers - three Vessels were ransomed two were taken & it is supposed they have taken three with them.  We had some Cruisers on the Coast but they could not come up with the Privateers - they will not ransom any Ship that has Lead which has raised the Freight of that Article & indeed for the present prevents any Ship taking it.  We sent an Express to the Admiralty & have an answer That further Protection will be given the Trade; Indeed there is very great Need of it.  I am going with my Daughters to Scotland in about a Fortnight and shall return about the Middle of July & ready to receive you in August.  My House is at your Service while you stay.  My Daughters join with me in best respects & am etc                                                                                 JEB





                                                            Newcastle   15th May 1779        £500

                                           Fifty days after date Pay John Erasmus Blackett Esqr or

                                        Order Five Hundred Pounds  Value in Account as p

                                        Advice                                               Jonn Sorsbie Junr

To Messrs Henry & Saml F Freeman          Pay the Contents to the

                in London                                   Order of Sir Thomas

                                                                    Blackett Barot  Value

                                                                    in Account

Sent p Post to Sir Thomas                                                             John E Blackett

Blackett this 15 May 1779

___________________________________________________________________________



                                            £500.-.-       Newcastle Bank     1st June 1779

                              Twenty days after date Pay to the Order of John Erasmus Blackett

                          Esqr Five Hundred Pounds      Value received

                                                                               For Bell Cookson Carr Self & Saint

To Messrs Castell Whately                                                                   Jno Widdrington

& Powell     London                         Pay the Contents to Sir 

No 10676                                          Thomas Blackett Bt or

                                                          Order value in Accot

                                                                        John E Blackett