letter – Isaac Hunter to John Erasmus Blackett – 28 Nov 1787

Dukesf[iel]d: 28th Nov'r 1787

Sir

      The quantity of Test Bottoms at this Mill could not be wought up here (with the present convinience) in less time then half an year w[hi]ch would increase the Gray Slags much as they must be wrought at the Slag H[ear]th. I have below made a calculation what Qant[ity] it will take of them according to the Tryal before made w[i]th the exp[en]ces charging the Test Bottoms at 4£ per Ton that you may judge f'm the price of Lead & the likelyness of it's  continunce whether it would be most advisable for to abate of the 4£ or not; f'm the present state of the Mines there's little fear of this Mill wanting Ore & to get both the Gray Slags & Test Bottoms to markett next year cannot be don w[i]thout converting one of the Ore H[ear]th into a Slag H[ear]th

                                             £  s  d

To Test Bottoms to make 1 Foth[er] of Lead 

     4 Ton @ 4£ per ton                     16  -  - 

To Exp[en]ces of Working the above & Fuel    2  9  4

To Carriage f'm Dukesfield to Blaydon

     of the above Lead                         11  1

                                            19  -  5 



NB  The Last Assay that I made of the Test Bottoms Lead yielded 11 oz of Silver to the Foth[er]

      IH