Letters – John Erasmus Blackett to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 4 Jun 1797

Thomas Rd Beaumont Esqr                                                     Newcastle    4th June 1797

M.P.       Portman square London



Dr Sir	

      I am favoured with your letter of the 26th ulte & observe the contents.  I hope that your Mines may improve this year, otherwise the quantity of Ore will not keep the Mills, & the Carriage employed; last year the Stock of Ore & Lead at the Mines & Lead Mills were large, & I sold from the 1st June to the 1st inst 107,231 Ps Lead & 1514 Casks of Litharge; I fear much that the quantity this following year may fall considerably short.  I do not expect that any thing can be done respecting Harehope Gill Lead Mine until the Bishop comes into the country, & a conference can be had with him on the business; I have had some conversation with Mr Casson (the person whose letter you enclosed to me) & I have employed him to draw a plan of the disputed Ground from a regular Survey which he took for the Lessees of Lord Burford, he has a difference with them respecting his charge, & his Evidence may be of material service in this affair.  The South front of the Abbey facing the Garden was in so ruinous state, that it would not by any means have been safe to underset it, of course it became necessary to take it down; when the delay & expence of proping & undersetting the Wall, is considerable, exclusive of the hazard) the difference in the expence will be trifling.  I go to Morpeth with my Daughter this week, & stay ‘till the end of the Month, if business does not call me home;  Should you & Mrs Beaumont come to the Races? my House will be much at your service.                     I am etc              J.E.B

	By the Coach I yesterday received a parcel from Mr Skelton containing a Release of an Allotment No 4 to Ann Booth it is executed by you & Mrs Beaumont & Witnessed by J Wilson & I have no doubt as to its being quite regular, so I shall execute it (without consulting Mr Heron) & return it to Mr Skelton; he sends me a state of the Sales that I have joined in, & the conveyance of Lands in lieu which he says is necessary as it will be the last Professional Business he hopes & believes he shall ever transact for the Bretton family.