Letter – Henry Richmond to Caleb Hunter – 11 Nov 1764

To Mr Caleb Hunter at Allanheads                                        Newcas[tle] 11th November 1764



Sir     John Renwick has complained to Sir Walter that he and 5 more got 99 Bings of ore at Hackford Grove at 18d a Bing yet as soon as their bargain was out you took the best of the ground from them where she was ¾ of a yard clean ore in width & let at 17d a Bing, and put them into the worst ground where no ore was to be found & where they had 9d a week to pay for drawing water so they were obliged to leave that bargain or ruin themselves. He has also told Sir Walter that the workings would not have been liable to be drowned out by Wards & Bakers water if there had been no level from devils water but you had begun the grove in Hackford burn and wrought her towards Devils water leaving a sufficient Barrier against Wards & Bakers water. Now Sir Walter desires you will give an answer to these articles as soon as you can.

Sir Walter consents that his Stewards and Parson Stokoe may employ any persons not engaged in ore bargains to be their servants during their extraordinary hours only, that is, after shifts or days work is over paying them for such extraordinary time and taking care never to let their business as servants interfere with the shifts or work that ought to be done for him. I am etc H R