Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 11 Dec 1799

Colonel Beaumont                                                               Newcastle    11th Decr 1799

       Bretton Hall Barnsley   Yorkshire



Dear Sir	

      I wrote to you the 8th to which I refer you; I am by this Days Post favoured with your Letter of the 9th inst & observe what you say respecting the Mode of giving relief to the indigent Poor of Hexham & the Neighbourhood; that pointed out by Mr Clark which had been adopted on a similar Occasion will certainly be the most beneficial, & what I would recommend on the present Occasion; I shall write to Mr Bell & consult with him whether it would be advisable for you to purchase a Quantity of Rye for the supply of the Poor at a reduced Price, or to subscribe a certain Sum for the above Purpose & let it go into a general Stock, to be disposed of the Discretion of a Committee nominated for that Purpose;  The latter Mode I think will be the most eligible, as the one Charity would not interfere with the other & it will be the Means of saving your Agent a great deal of Trouble; as well as some Grumbling & Complaints;  I think that Mr Clark has behaved very handsomely on the Occasion & that he should have your Thanks by Mr Bell, who may consult with him as to the most advisable Measure to pursue.  The Rye that I purchased for your Miners is sent up Weekly, & as some more Ships are arrived with Dantzig Rye, I shall take the Opportunity of buying a further Quantity tho’ it will be some think higher.

	It is the general Opinion that the letter of the Bishop of Durham respecting the high Price of Corn, & the Apprehension of a Scarcity (which was publish’d in the Papers) had much better be let alone, it was certainly well intended but it was sounding the Alarm improperly & has done much harm;  Should you have any Applications made to you by the Weatrdale Miners about Corn, they really should not be listened to, for they are the most dissatisfied troublesome Workmen that you employ & have always been the foremost Promoters of any Mischief that is going forward, I send the Rye up to Weardale as fast as I can get the Carriers to take it, but not content with that, they are perpetually coming down, some for two Bushels others for four, which cannot be complied with.  I met your Lead Stewards at Hexham on Monday & returned Yesterday so much indisposed that I am confined to the House.  I am sorry that it is not in my Power at present to give you a better Account of the State of your Mines, they are in general Poor, we are using every Means for the getting your Lead down to Blaydon, but is attended with additional Expence & a part of it between that Place & Dukesfield cannot be got down till the Roads are better, I have directed Mr Emerson to give Notice that we are ready to receive a lease or Leases of Mines in the Parish of Wolsingham,  We shall see if Mr Wilsons Friends will come forward.