Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 19 Jan 1798

Colonel Beaumont                                                                      Newcastle    19th Jany 1798

M.P.  Portman square  London



Dr Sir	I refer you to my letter of the 15th ins:   Mr Ebdon returned fm Hexham yesterday evening & he called on me this morning; he & Mr Stephenson have gone through their valuation etc at the Abbey, & they are doing the like by some deals at this place which are ready dressed for flooring (& will be preferable to green ones) as well as some Architraves which are already wrought, Mr Edbon informs me that it will take some little time to arrange & settle this matter, & that in the course of ten days, he will either call on me with their Valuation etc or that it shall be sent to me;  I believe that you could not have employed a Person in every respect better qualified for the business, than Mr Ebdon:  What Timber or Deals that may hereafter be wanted for the Abbey Mr Bell will order from Mr Wm Surtees:  You will probably hear from Mr Bell on this business.  It is fortunate that I made those Sales of Lead in Septr & Novr last for there is no demand at present, & the prospect for this year is very unpromising indeed, the foreign Ports being in a great measure shut to our trade, and the restrictions laid on by the Enemy on the Ships of Neutral Powers, will be a very great Cramp on the trade; the Quantity of Lead sent to India has been much less for these two years past, & this year there will be a further reduction of 1000 or 1200 Tons;  A pretty large quantity of Mr Errington’s Lead has been at Markett for a considerable time, for which £16-10s per For was refused some time ago, he probably may be under a necessity of accepting of £15 or £15-10s per For.  On the 17th ins I paid into the Bank of Mess Surtees Burdon & Co on your Account sundry Bills on London payable in one, two, & three months amounting to £34,348-7s-2d.  I am with best respects to Mrs Beaumont & yourself            Yours etc  J.E.B