Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to John Trevelyan – 28 Dec 1783

Sir John Trevelyan  Bart .                                                     Newcastle  28 Decemr    1783

Nettlecombe  Somersetshire



Dear Sir    I wrote to you the 20 inst & was by the last Post favoured with your letter of the 21st inst inclosing Sir Walter Blounts letter & a Copy of your Answer to it.  This is what I expected & you may remember that I mentioned it to you; The Article is to continue the Money at 4 p[er] C[ent] from Feb[ruar]y 1777 to Feb[ruar]y 1784 but does not specify a certain Notice to be given for the Payment, or the Advance of Interest after that time expires, but as the half Years Interest will be due in Feb[ruar]y next he expects that you either Pay him 5 P[er] Cent Interest from that time or that you will pay him the Principal;  he says in his letter at that time but I believe that Six Months Notice is always expected.  However as you have no Prospect of paying Sir W Blount the Principal at that time, nor indeed in Six Months, & as you have thoughts of Disposing of Longwitton & the Ord Estates, I do think that it will at present be Adviseable to Acquie[s]ce with Sir W. Blounts demand of 5 P[er] Cent without Agreeing to keep the Money for any Certain time, for 5 P[er] Cent is still paid for large Sums in this Country, & should you meet with a Person who is willing to Advance so large a Sum at 4½ P[er] Cent (wch. is not very probable at present, as the Stocks are so low) it will be expected that you keep it for a Certain Term & the Expenses attending the Change of Securities as well as the Procuration will be very high;  These are my thoughts on the Subject, but I will have some discourse with Mr. Fawcett on this Matter; & let you know his Opinion.   I congratulate you that a Disolution of Parliament is not likely to take place at Present.  I wish you & Yours Many Happy returns of the Season & I am etc        

                                         J. E. Blackett 

I have wrote to Mr Darwin & when I have his Answer I will Acquaint you with it

We have had a Severe Frost for these three Days with deep Snow