Letter – Isaac Hunter to Henry Richmond – 12 Apr 1776

       Dukesfd. 12th. April 1776

Mr Richmond N.Castle



Sir	

	Potts is a Stranger to me, and I have not been able to learn as yet more than that he was a Miner when he left Derwenhead (where he was born) & went to Work as such at Fallowfield; that he’s past his prime of Life, and was very well thought on when at the Mine & in Derwent head as a diligent, sober, Honest Man.   I should suppose f’m his having the conducting of the Mill at Fallowfield for some years past, that he must be qualified for the place at Rookhope, for I know that Fallowfd Ore requires to be skillfully delt with.  Geo Lowes is a Sly cunning Man & in my opinion not qualified for the place.  There’s One Robson of Birkenside I hear means to offer who wrought as a Smelter at Mr. Errington’s Mill for 4 yrs. & the Agent there gives him a great Character as to Skill & abilities   I do imagine that you cannot be wrong in fixing any One of the Three (ie) Potts, Smith or Robson so shall wate your further Orders as to whom you would choose to have sent down to you.   

       Shall finish the Ore at Rookhope this Week & it will be 3 or 4 Week before we will get f’m the Mines what will keep her going.   shall repair the <Bank> &c next Week, & if you think proper would start the Lead Carriage f’m the Several Mills as the Oate-seed time is near over.   I have sent the Hand bills in to all the Daleheads & little Vilages in round that Neighbourhood.   I made a Mistake in the Amount of the Dec qr in the calculation I gave you in my last as to the Sum it would take to make the Pays here; it will take as near as I can guess 4660£ exclusive of the New Castle bills these paid in the General Accot. & am yrs. &c IHunter Jr.