Letter – Henry Richmond to Isaac Hunter – 16 Jun 1769

To Mr Isaac Hunter at Dukesfield                                                           Newca[stle] 16 June 1769

Sir

I have received your Letter with the Testimonies about the charge against John Pringle, and think they contain no sufficient proof of it, and that it would not be reasonable, upon such suspicions, to deprive him of his Work. If he has behaved Ill to Mr Harrison, in a public manner, so that he is affraid of losing his Authority at the Mill as he says. I should hope you might be able to remove his fears about that, and perswade pringle to behave decently for the future.

I desired last Year that there should not be above 1000 or at most 1200 Bings of ore sent to Allanheads Mill, but there were near 1700 bings carried thither. The inconvenience of having near 5000 p[iece]s of Lead there, without reckoning the Accidents that may retard the Smeltings, is so sensibly felt at this Time, when I want Lead at Markett, that I cannot help wishing you had attended to what I wrote you on the 5 June 1767 on this Subject. Pray desire Mr Crawhall to work up his first Slags.

I hope that notwithstanding the Carriage you have sett on for Allanheads Lead, you are doing your utmost to get the rest of the Dukesfield Lead away too. I find very little of the Rookhope Lead is yet brought to Blaydon so must beg you will acquaint that Carriers that I expect they will not keep the Lead in their hands waiting of their own Convenience. P.S. Will the 50 Casks of boneashes you have got this Year serve you till this time Twelve Months? I am etc    HR