Letter – Thomas Richard Beaumont to Mark Skelton – 19 Oct 1792

									Octr. 19th 1792

Dear Skelton,

I have been considering all Night about the purchase of Barugh Estate, and should really like much to have it, as if the Navigation goes on I think it will pay very well, and tho’ at present we have not the Cash by us, we know we have it coming in, and we must pray for a good Lead Trade – and what we shall want at Kexbro’ will not come to so much more, and Haigh very likely will not be sold immediately – but should the whole be sold at once, they will give us time to pay for it in, & we must write to Blackett – I understood the whole would not be more than 41,000£ & that I think we can stand – it will be such a handsome addition to our Estate – and I think we can manage as to Respect to Money – all these matters we leave entirely to you, the whole estate would be such a great advantage to us, and give us such great command over the Country – and Blackett must push the Sale of Lead, I will give him a line when I get your Answer – that 6000£ of Mr. Walkers may if you purchase be of use to us – that as you think best. Enclosed I send you another letter from Cockshutt which you will keep to yourself, & not say I enclosed it to you, what he says respecting the Air & Calder proprietors seems to have great weight, and we are sure they will consider themselves and that Stanhope will not be for having it come to Haigh bridge, therefore the <Dun> people should be encouraged if they will come there, the Air should not be allowed to have such a number of Voters, as to gain always a decided Majority – I don’t see if the Water reverts to them again, why they should have 1/3 advantage of the Canal, we are sure they will try all they can as they have already so many Votes, I should not wish them to have so much power vested in them, Stanhope is all for his own interest & the Devil of anything else - & as the <Dun> people are willing to do [missing word] they should be encouraged, and [missing word] spur on the others  – I would not have the people allowed to have the 1/3 advantage because if they give the Water it is for their own convenience and ought not to be allowed for it. The Landholders sh[oul]d stand forwards and not suffer them. Do give my Compts. to Ellison. I would have come down, but I can’t leave Mrs. B. – She unites with me in Compliments – I am

Dear Skelton

Yours most sincerely

Tho. Rd. Beaumont