Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Blackett – 7 Apr 1782

Sir Thomas Blackett Barot                                                   Newcas   7th April 1782



Dear Sir

	I wrote you the 19th instant to which refer you, not receiving an Answer induces me to think you were gone to Town but as that may not be the Case I send this under Cover to Mr Noble to whom I have sent a Bill on London for One Thousand Pounds on your Account.  I have had several Meetings with the Gentlemen concerned in the Lead Trade & I have wrote to Sir Mattw Ridley on that Business.

	The Tax on the Lead Carriage would be very oppressive it would be a Charge on your Concern of about £600 a Year; but I apprehend it will be dropt.  That on the Coasting Trade (unless some Alteration is made in it to Exempt the Ships in the Coal Trade which a small Quantity of Lead) will be a very heavy Load on the Lead Trade.  I hope the Price of Lead will keep up this Year.  I have sold some small parcels at £16.15s.0d for Common £17 refined Lead & £17.5s.0d Litharge.  I expect the Lead Carriage will start the end of this Month & am etc     JEB