Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 19 Feb 1797

Coll Beaumont                                                                    Newcastle    19th Feby 1797

       Portman Square   London



Dear Sir!	I am favoured with your letter of the 13th 14th inst & observe that you have had some conversation with Mr Burdon respecting the Lead Pay & that he had wrote to Mr Surtees on the business  What I mentioned to you as to the Pay being Postponed to June was from an Idea that it would not be in our power to effect it sooner but if it can be accomplished in May there is no doubt as to the Propriety of the Measure

	I have within these few days Sold to the several London Buyers 20000 Ps Lead 2/3 Comon & 1/3 Refd at £15-10 per For payable in Bills due in Six Months which I look on as a good Sale considering the times; a Quantity of Refd & Comon Lead was sold a few days ago at the same price Nine Months Credit & Mr C Blackett has a quantity of Refi’d offered to him at £15-10 Six Months Credit;  For Convenience of the Buyers as well as for Surtees & Burdon I have consented to alter the times in which the several Payments will become due an Accot of which you have enclosed _ I observe that Lord Burford will not leave the Matter of the Boundary that is in dispute to reference but is determined on contesting it which I think is unhandsome _ The Bishop of Durham (notwithstanding his Agreement with you for the Dues) should in Justice to the See of Durham contribute towards the expence of a Contest, but he has declined it & the Rector of Wolsingham (who in case of your succeeding will be entitled to the Dues) will be backward in paying his proportion of it; on which Accot the Matter must be well considered & the best Advice must be had before you engage in an expensive suit

	The Widow of Westgarth Forster has by her Son made an offer to Mr Bell of paying in May £200 on Accot of her Husbands Debt, she says that he expended upwards of £300 as Overseer of the Highways by the direction of the late Sir Thos Blackett which he cannot recover from the County & she is in hopes that you will allow it; the Remainder she begs that she may be allowed time for the payment; this I have no doubt you will not comply with & as Forster has by Will left what property he had to his Wife I have directed (as no previous steps had been taken before) to propose to Mrs Forster & her Son to join in a Security for the Debt & on refusal to bring an Action against Mrs Forster the Executrix in order to bind the effects in some sort in her hands  Mr Surtees will acquaint you with the Amt of Capt Steads Debt, he told me that the Importers Corn at this place were great sufferers & that they were about sending Petitions to yourself  & others for Relief but I really do not know the Particulars of of their Grievances              I am etc     J.E.B



Bills due in June  30000

   Do     in July  10000

   Do     in Augt  30000

   Do     in Septr 10000

   Do     in Octr   5000

                   85000