Letters – Joseph Richmond to Walter Blackett – 15 Apr 1755

Document Type: Letters
Date: 15 Apr 1755
Correspondent: Joseph Richmond
Recipient: Walter Blackett
Archive Source: NRO 672/E/1E/1
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To Sr Wr.Blackett Bt. Curzon Street London

15 April 1755

Honrd Sir

	I am very sorry for Mr Stevens's bad Conduct, but hope you will be no great loser by him. I find by Mr Harveys Lre to his wife th[a]t he is alive.

	Mr Geo.Simpson who was Mas[te]r of a Collier last year, & was at Ipswich in Sep[tembe]r, is now Mate to Mr Jno.Wall Ma[ste]r of the Swallow of Sunderland, wch ship is now in the River Thames; if you please to order Mr Denton to enquire after him on rec[eip]t of hereof, he will probably meet with him in London, before the ship be discharged; if not, I will endeavour to get his information when he returns to Sunderland. I desire Mr Denton will let me kn ow if he meets with him.

	As to Messrs Pearce, Price & Co's proposal to furnish you with Gunpowder, you will please to consider by what follows, whether it is worth your while to engage with them. You use for y[ou]r Lead Mines about 40 barrels a y[ea]r of the sort marked C & F wch they offer at 70s a barrel. The price you last paid Mr james Wilkinson was 72s a barrel, but I am informed it is lately advanced 5s a barrel, so we shall now pay 77s a barrel till there is some alteration.



40 barrels at 77s a barrel will come to                  154.0.0



40 barrels at 70s as offerd by Messrs Pearce & Co	140.0.0

Freight & Charges will be abt 2s6d a barrel         5.0.0

a Wareho[use] must be rented at 4 <or>              5.0.0

                                                  150.0.0

Remains to answer all hazard of fire etc                £  4.0.0



So that in my opinion it is the better way to buy it here in town as you have always done, for the saving will not counterballance the hazard & insurance but if you chuse to oblige Messrs Pearce & Co.  I do not see you are under any obligation to Mr Wilkinson or anybody else here, to deal with them contrary to your inclination; & I do not think they can have any reason to take it amiss. The Quakers Co. buy their Gunpowder in London, but their Agents charge the workmen 2d a fod[der] more than your workmen have ever paid, who have never been charged more than the first Cost & carriage.

	The hoppers go on as usual, but the Corporation is determind to begin with the Ma[ste]rs this week, & w[ha]t effect their proceedingd a[gain]st them will have, a little time will shew. Mr Collingw[oo]d is doubtful as to the Consequences, but he says he will write you on this subject by the next post.

	L[or]d Darlington & the other Lead Owners at Stockton continue to drop the price of their lead, so th[a]t I must either conform to the market or sell none. The Stock you have now at the Mils has cost you £11.16.0 a fo[dde]r so th[a]t I fear you will have but a poor acct. of yo[u]r mines this year.

	Dr Askew tells me this morning th[a]t Mr Davison is much better.

	Mr Ogle set forwards on Saturday with only 9 saddle horses & 3 coach horses.

I am etc JR

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The Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project aimed to celebrate and discover the heritage of the Dukesfield Arches & lead carriers' routes between Blaydon and the lead mines of Allendale and Weardale. A two year community project, it was led by the Friends of the North Pennines in partnership with Hexhamshire and Slaley Parish Councils and the active support of Allendale Estates. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the generous support of other sponsors. Friends of the North Pennines: Charity No:1137467