Letters – Isaac Wilkinson to John Erasmus Blackett – 30 Aug 1799

      Chesterfield August 30th 1799

To John E Blackett Esq. Newcastle

Dear Sir,

      I duly received your esteemed favour of the 10th instant for which l am much obliged to you, as I presume you will very soon make a sale to the London houses, I think it may not be amiss to acquaint you, there is at this time no lead on hand at Hull worth mentioning, either Yorkshire or Derbyshire, the latter has been bought up £19.00 for fodder, so I believe chiefly by Mr. F & Co. One of our friends writes us Mr. F was at Hull on Saturday last, l told him there were 40,000 pieces lead to be sold very soon at Newcastle and that the price would come down, whether there is that quantity, or not you know best be that as it may I do not believe it is Mr. Fs real opinion lead will be lower, but the contrary as we had a letter dated 26th instant from their house in London, desiring we would fix them a price of 1,000 pieces of Derbyshire lead, which we have declined doing, and we have also been informed, the said house have offered to make contracts for lead for some months to come, which plainly shows they think it will be dearer. We have a letter this morning from Stockton, and 1 find their mines are very poor, but little lead on hand. Our mines in this country most productive are under water, and there is but little lead undisposed of. As soon as you have made your sale, I will be much obliged by the favour of a line and any information I communicate, you will please not to let it transpire – Mrs. Wilkinson begs I would give her best compliments to you.

      I am with great regards Dear Sir Your most obedient honourable friend

      Isaac Wilkinson