Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 22 Apr 1799

Colonel Beaumont                                                 Newcastle   22nd of April  1799

Portman Square London



Dear Sir        

      I am favoured with your Letter of the 18th inst. inclosing the residence of the several Annuitants which shall be inserted in the Income return sent to Mr Bell  the Schedule of the Land tax in the County of Durham (except that in Weardale amounting to £0 .12. 6 which I have not yet got from the Clerk of the Commiss[ione]rs of the Landtax, tho’ frequently applied to for the Purpose) was sent by the Mail Coach Yesterday directed to you.  Inclosed you have a Copy of a Letter that I received from Mr Hunter respecting your giving your Support to the Petition against a Clause in the Hexham Turnpike Bill on the South side of the Tyne; I do not at present apprehend that a Gate being placed at High Team will materially affect you, but I will enquire further & let you know in the interim  I would recommend it to you in Case of any Application being made to you by Lord Strathmore, Sir Thomas Clavering etc not to enter into any Engagement as to opposing the Clause, for I look on the Opposition as partial & ill founded, taken up by a Set of People from Lanchester & the Neighbourhood.

      I have by this days post your Letter of the 20th inst. & observe the Contents; I had made a Deduction for the Salaries of the several Stewards that received your Rents Viz. Mr Bell, Mr Twedale, & Mr Mulcaster but I was informed by some Commissioners that I was wrong, & that it would not be allowed, & indeed I believe that on its being proposed in the House that Mr Pitt objected to the Amendment; I think it is very reasonable it should be deducted, particularly as the Steward pays on Account of his Income for that sum.  I should imagine that Sir Geo. Young has been misinformed with Respect to the appearance of Mines at the Cape; should be desirous of taking over with him any experienced Miners & workmen it will be necessary that he should make some Offers for no person certainly will engage but on a Certainty.  I am etc J E B.