Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 4 Jun 1782

Sir Thos Blackett Bt at Mr Sydenhams                                           Newcas    4th June 1782

        Frith Street  Soho  London



D Sir

	I am sorry to acquaint you that Mr Wm Chapman of this Place to whom I sold 600 ps Lead in February last has stop’d Payment & expect that a Statute of Bankruptcy will be taken out against him, he had considerable Dealings & was concern’d in some Collieries in this Neighbourhood that were doing well.

	The Corporation had agreed to let him & his Brother a Colliery & the Lease was preparing.  Mr Airey of this Place sold him a parcel of Lead since that Time for which he is indebted to him £460, & to Messrs Liddell & Thomlinson for another Parcel.  I now understand he has hurt himself much in the Corn Trade & in a Colliery in Scotland & some valuable Ships were lately taken by the Enemy in which he had Concerns.  he purchased Lead for the Board of Ordinance & on that Credit both Mr Airey & myself sold him the Lead.  he engaged to pay me in Cash the middle of May but I find he has drawn for the Money which makes him appear in a very bad light.  I cannot at present say how his Affairs may turn out & am apprehensive they are in great Confusion.  A Brother of his was concerned with him who has an Estate in the County of Durham of about £600 a Year but I understand there is a very considerable Mortgage upon it.  I have been with Mr Wilson to consult him on this Affair & as soon as a Meeting of his Creditors is held you shall be acquainted with the Opinion of the Meeting etc.                                      I am etc      JEB