Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 27 Apr 1784

Sir Thos Blackett Bart                                                               Newcastle      27th April 1784

    Bretton  near Wakefield

                    Yorkshire



Dear Sir

	I am favoured with your letter of the 19th inst as well as your former letter acknowledging the Receipt of the Bill that I sent you.  I observe what you say Respecting Coll Anker’s Application to you about your Lead as well as your answer to him on that Subject; when I hear from that Gentleman I shall give him every Necessary Advice as to that matter.  The Lead for the Danish Markett is Shipt from hence by Messrs Carr & Widdrington & by Mr Alexander Adams, & your Lead has the Preference and is purchased for the Danish East India Co.  Mr Widdringn Corresponds with Coll Anker, & probably may hear from him on the subject.  In the Year 1658 Sir Wm Blackett sold a Parcel of Lead Amounting to £2273-6-1 to the Crown of Denmark, the Lead arrived safe & every Necessary Certificate etc was obtained; Notwithstanding wch no Payment was ever Received for it, tho’ frequent Application have at different times been made for that purpose;  From the Conversation I have had with Mr Carr I find that he is not fond of this Commission & wou’d not undertake it unless he had a Merchant of Character in London Gaurantee for the Payment.  The present price of Lead is £17 p Fothr for Common £17.5.0 p Fothr for Refd & £18 p Ton for Litharge.  I have sold some small parcels for the Foreign Markets, but have not yet made any Sale for London.  I expect to make a large Sale next Month.  I have fixed the Pay for the Lead Mills at Dukesfield for the 26th May Allanheads & Coalcleugh the 27th and Weardale the 28th.

                                                                                           I am etc     J E Blackett