Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 7 Apr 1800

Colonel Beaumont						Newcastle, 7th. April 1800

Portman Square London



Dear Sir

      I refer you to my Letters of the 2d. & 5th. inst.  We had formerly some Difficulty in procuring a sufficient Quantity of Silver for the Lead Pays; £300 was the usual Sum wanted of late years when the Bank would part with but a very small Sum in Gold, I have got £600 in Silver, I understand that we are not to expect above £3,000 in Gold for the next Pay which will be too small a Sum, but to my Surprise they offer me £2,000 or 3,000 in Silver which induces me to think that the Silver Coinage is about to be called in, & as the loss may be considerable to the Holders the Bank is desirous of getting it out of their Hands; I shall not at any rate take above £1,000 - -but I wish that you would make enquiry respecting this Matter, and let me know if my Conjecture be well founded, but Mr. Burdon (and Mr. Surtees who I believe is in Town at present) will be improper Persons to enquire of.   I have applied to Mr. Boulton of Birmingham for £100 of the new Copper Coinage which will be of Service at the Pay, & may be a means of preventing the Circulation of the Base Copper in that part of the Country.   I am &c. J.E.B.