Letter – Henry Richmond to Isaac Hunter – 5 Jun 1767

To Mr Isaac Hunter at Dukesfield                                                          Newca[stle} 5th June 1767

Sir

I received your’s of the 1st instant with the Calculation of the difference between smelting Kilhope Ore at Allanheads & Dukesfield Mills, & agree with you that notwithstanding there is a greater Expence attending the doing it at the latter than the former: Yet considering how liable Allanheads Mill is to be laid off by the drought in Summer and The Frosts in Winter & which is still of farther inconvenience how difficult we have frequently found it to get the Lead from that Mill by reason of the Mosses & the want of Carriage Men & how impracticable it has always been to get it to Market in time. I say upon these Considerations it is clearly for Sir Walter’s intrest not to carry so great a quantity of ore to that Mill as 2000 Bings – I think about 1000 or 1200B is enough and the rest of the Kilhope Ore may be brought to Dukesfield.

It occasions some perplexity in your Qua[rte]rs Acco[un]t to have the Waste Lead charged among the Contingencies, as Mr Harrison has done it. so I desire all sorts of Lead, at each Mill, may be placed under the head of Lead Smelted & that you will give directions that the Clerks distinguish what is made from the Mill Wastes & what from the Grove Wastes. I am etc   HR