Letter – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 22 Apr 1793

Document Type: Letter
Date: 22 Apr 1793
Correspondent: John Erasmus Blackett
Recipient: Thomas Richard Beaumont
Archive Source: AE Beaumont letters
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Newcastle 22nd April 1793

Dear Sir

	I wrote to you the 20th inst, to which I refer you ; I this day received your favour of the 20th & I observe what you are pleased to say respecting the Lead Pay & that you think it absolutely necessary that it should be made at the time appointed in which I perfectly agree with you; your Agents will be at this place on Sunday the 29th to go the Dukesfield the 30th & and make the pay the day following 1st May, they will go to Allendheads that evening and make that pay & Coaleheugh the 2nd May & the Weardale pay on friday the 3rdthe usual times of making the Lead Pays have been the last week in April: There has not been any run this day on the several Banks & Mr Burdon told me that he now had not the least doubt of their being able to supply you with £20,000/-/- in their Notes which will pass Currantly & about £10,000/-/- in Cash which with sum that you may bring down in cash & Bank of England Notes the pay amounting to about £13,300, I think there is now doubt of Mr Halls Bills for £10,000 being duely accepted by Messrs Lancaster & Co & that they will give you the necessary satisfaction respecting the Payment for the 9500 Pieces of Lead the last <quarter> by Mr Hall for Messrs Lancaster & Co. I wrote to Messrs Ransom Morland & Hammersley on that Business yesterday in which I desired they would immediately communicate to you; Mr Hall has left two sons who are in the Business and may probably carry on that branch of the Lead commissions from Lancaster & Co in which case it may be advisable to have a Guarantee from Lancaster & Co for the Purchases of Lead that they may make. It is not in my Power at present to give you so full information as I could wish as to the enclosed paper which you had from Sir John Trevelyan: The sum of money which he alludes to was the surplus upon the Sale of a part of the Estate which was vested in Chancery & could not be disposed of untill the death of the late Sire Walter Blackett the Interest of which till that time Sir John Trevelyan in entitled to, & from that period the Principal & Interest was the Property of the late Sir Thomas Blackett & now of course devolves to you; it is a matter of Law in which I cannot give you that full information that you desired; the late Mr Wilson & Mr Heron were frequently consulted by Sir Thomas Blackett as to that matter & there was some delay in the Law Proceedings which I am not acquainted with, & which I hope that Mr Herron will give you the necessary information when you see him. Messrs Ransom & Co would inform you of Mr Burdon being attacked on the road down three miles north of Bugdon by three foot Pads & rob’d of his watch & upwards of 20 Guins but he escaped unhurt and with the Cash he was bringing down, he wounded two of them in the men with a <Hanger> very severely one of whom got into the Carriage after having pulled his Servant out & used him very ill: Mr Burdon was covered almost over with the blood of the Man that he wounded, & has indeed had a narrow escape; I mention this to you that you may be very well armed &c and to be cautious how you travel late at night &c. I wish you safe & well & am with respect

	Dear Sir your most obedient  Humble Servant 

		John E Blackett



PS. Monday Eveng past got back I have this moment seen Mr Burdon who promised us to supply you with £30,000 in Cash & Notes  <can to yare> half you bringing down the remainder viz Thirteen Thousand Pounds in Gold & 300 in Silver.

     30,000

     13,300

     43,300
This letter is identical to the copy included in the Agent Out letters (NRO 672/E/1E/5) apart from the last paragraph which was omitted from the copied version and offers a vivid insight into the perils of travelling with large quantities of cash in the 18th century.

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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