Letter – Joseph Stagg to Thomas Masterman – 21 Oct 1808

									Alston 21st. Oct. 1808

Mr. Masterman



Sir,

      Since writing to you on the 19th. I have seen all the Invoices of Gunpowder sent to Mr. Dickinson, the Moor Master, for the last Year viz. from Michaelmas 1807 to MIch. 1808. The Price charged is £5-10- per Barrel without variation throughout the Year - 10 p Cent Discount, and 2 ½ p Cent Commission - The Carriage from Kendal which is 4/6 per Barrel - <Neat> Cost at Alston £5. 1s. 3d per Barrel - The Cost was I believe, exactly the same last Year and Mr. Dodd ordered the Gunpowder to be taken of the Workmen @ £7. 4s. per Barrel. I should be very glad if the Court would fix the Price this Year, however I think it my Duty to make these Observations to you and you may make what Use of them you think proper.

      I understand the Nenthead Mill Smelters are wishing to return to their Work again & one blames another for standing out. I suppose they intend to offer their Services to the Company again tomorrow on the Terms we have fixed.

      The Ireshopeburn Co. have had upwards of £200 advanced by Mr. Dodds Orders to carry on the Mine this Year: and all the Persons who take Bargains in the same Way have also Money advanced.

      Ra: Briggs, R. Hayton’s Successor, has a <…ling> employed in a Bargain.

      Isaac Hornsby’s Advances for Whimsey & Level Horses only amount to about 350£ for this Year.

      Doctor Stevenson’s Advances this Year will be about £90£ - and S. Hutchinson’s (Partner in the Shop at Nenthead) about the same.

      The Shop Concern at Nenthead is a Source of incalculable Injury to the Company’s Business and will be, so long as Mr. Dodd’s Sons are Partners.

      This Week M. Johnson of Nenth[ea]d Mill told me in a confidential Way, that a certain workman had said he could upon his Oath testify, if required, that about 16£ was added to his Account for which he never worked, to pay a Bill due to the Shop Co. - I heard R. Hayton say the same Thing some Time since. The Shop Concern keeps up the Banking Agency which our Bankers are still jealous of & with <too> much Reason. And it is quite a common Observation that if a Person only be in Debt to the Nent[hea]d Shop he is sure of Work & must <…………> Work.

      Matt. Johnson also told me that when Mr. Dodd was at Durham he sent Orders that the Coal Carriers should fill his, J. Hornsby’s & his Son’s Coal Houses with Coals before any were carried to any other Place (either Mill or Mines) this Jno. Bell the Washing Agent told Johnson as a <Secret>. The Order was sent to Bell & Briggs, & it seems they all understood that the Company pay for their Coals.

      I am Sir Yours respectfully

      Joseph Stagg



P.S. You may find the Court’s Rules for their Agents in Letter Books - Decr. 10 1778 & Oct. 6th. 1785. At the latter date you will find - ‘No Agent shall have any allowance of Coals and Candles’ - In 1798 A Gratuity of £20 per Annum was given to Mr. Dodd & my late Father in Lieu of any such Allowance. If I am not mistaken Mr. Dodd at that Time requested some Allowance for his Office.