Journal entry – John Grey – 27 May 1834

Tuesday 27th



Reached Corbridge at nine.  Went to the Office at Dilston to look over the accounts & numerous papers which Mr Dickinson is engaged with, from the late rent receipts, and to obtain such as are necessary for me to carry to Alston.   Went through the different Works going on there & returned by the levelling in the Tyne side Woods, which is nearly completed.  Received Messrs Parkin & Waltons valuation of Wood in Capons Cleugh, to be removed on account of the railway, amounting to £240 which considering the difficulty of its removal, & the Offers previously made for the Lot of which this is only a part, I think it a good price.   I consequently wrote to the Agent of the Company informing him that they should be at liberty to cut & remove the Wood, upon their giving me an undertaking for the payment of the estimated amount.  I have also a Letter from Mr Beaumonts Agent from which I extract the following passage.   

       ‘I have been in treaty with the Lessees of Blagill Mill, to rent it of them for the remainder of their Lease.  Would the Commissioners object to extend the Term to Mr Beaumont, or would they be disposed to sell the Blagill Mill?  It is considered by the Lessees that the High Mill is capable of Smelting all the Ore that will be at any time raised in Alstonmoor, that they may safely let the Low Mill for the Term of their Lease, which I think has 13 years unexpired.’ 

       To this I have replyed that I should communicate his application to the Commissioners & convey him their answer.  To sell one Mill, where the two are so closely connected, is I imagine, out of the question, but to have let them to different parties originally, taking the necessary precaution to secure at all times, the Smelting of their own Ore, would probably have been a preferable arrangement, in as much as it would have produced a greater competition for the purchase of Ore in Alstonmoor, a large consumption of Coal & Lime from the Hospitals Works, would have given more employment in carrying, to the Hospitals tenants & would have occasioned the circulation of a larger Capital in the District.   In present circumstances, it might be adviseable to throw no impediment in the way of an arrangement between the Lessees of the Mills & Mr Beaumont during the present Lease, but I cannot think that it would be adviseable to enter into any engagement beyond its termination, as at that time it will probably be found advantageous to divide the Smelting Hearths among different parties.   At present a great quantity of Ore raised in the Hospitals Mines is carried into other Districts to be smelted, which could come more conveniently to Langley, by which means the Hospitals Tenants lose the benefit of carrying both the Ore & Lead.