Letter – Edward Blackett to James Mewburn – 16 Mar 1710

James                							Newby the 16  March  1709/10 



      I Rec’d yrs with the Account of the weight of the Lead delivered Mr Fenwick & Mr Featherstone, wch I find right.  I hope ere this all the Lead that was made this year is brought into the Cellar  - soe order Jacob immediately to come to NewCastle, to assist you in carrying up the money and be sure you ride in the day time, and have some more Company with you than Jacob, be sure you make a clear pay, and lett not one workman or Tennant, that farms my houses, be owing me a farthing, and I charge both you and Jacob Peart, not to pay a shilling to any of the Workmen, till Harry Tulip be first paid, and that you receive my whole rent of him, both for my Land & Colliery for I will have noe arrears standing out

      Order Wm Armstrong to meet you at the pay, and inquire of him, what the Lands of Whitsheild may be worth, a year, and what all the wood that grows upon Whitsheilds may be worth, for it has been vallued at a very great Summ of moneys likewise inquire of him, what all the wood upon Breer wood Bank is worth, for I design to make a very great Fall this Spring, if he thinks it may be disposed of

      Inclosed is Copyes of mine, as alsoe my nephew Mitfords letter, which I sent to my Cousin Wilkinson by this post, and for fear it should not come to his hand  I thought fitt to send them you, so upon receite hereof goe to his house and inquire whither he has received my letter, with one inclosed, if not you may give him the Copyes of them unsealed, by the perusal of them, you will find it requires a great deal of haste, for if a bill be not sent very speedily, I am inform’d the ship will be sail’d and he left behind,   Desire my Cosen Wilkinson from me, by all means, that he goes to Sighill, and take my Sister Mitford his letters, and I make not the least doubt but she will be willing to give him twenty pounds, and I will give him Ten, which you may pay my Cousen Wilkinson when he pleases,  I doubt he will be unwilling to send up a bill, by Satturday nights post, by reason he does not know whither my Sister will be willing to give him Twenty Pounds or not, howev’r in my opinion, I think he need not in the least doubt it, all my fear the ship will be gone before a Bill can come to his hands, you may show my Cousen Wilkinson what I write upon this Subject, with Service to him & familley   I am           

      Lett me know what’s done in this affair, by Satturday nights post