Letter – Jonathan Hilton to Germaine Lavie – 17 Nov 1773

A Copy of a Letter sent Mr. Lavie 				17th Nov 1773



Sir,

      You will Remember when I saw you at Naward the 23rd Last Month that I told you we were driving a Level from the Old Workings at Stanhope Burn Westwards in order to try the East & West runing Veins on the west side of same North & South runing Veins which have for several Years Past broke the East & West Veins so very much & so generally confused the whole that Nothing of certainty could be expected till we were quite clear of them & that by sinking a Shaft in order to air the Level & try the Veins which I hope would Answer to prety good Advantage especially as we had met with several Peices of Ore in sinking the said Shaft. We were prevented from finishing the shaft by haveing a very great quantity of Watter burset of sum Workmen where we had these peices of Ore to cut cross to meet the Vein in doing of which they met with very good Ore in what we call a flat which lyes in the North side of the Vein.

      I was there Yeasterday & find that they have raised 7 or 8 Bings of Exceeding good Ore in  Driving about 3 Yards from which I hope there is no fear of the Vein being good but from the great Quantity of Watter Nothing more can be done till the Shaft & Level be finished which Probably may not be sooner than Lady Day as the Level wants 15 Fathom & from its Hardness takes £6 p Fathom driving. The Vein we want to be at is called the Quakers Vein from its from its having been Worked forty or fifty Years ago by the Lead Company & as I am informed was given up by the Company on coming to the cross Veins above Mentioned but where we are trying for hir is 300 Yards further west than where they have made any considerable Tryal & I expect we will be quit clear of Cross Veins think there is no doubt of hir doing well Mr Atkinson has sold all the Lead which is to be payed for on the 18th December at which Time I mean to be at NewCastle in order to settle with him & at the same Time will take the Liberty to draw on you for the Cash that will be wanted to make the Sundry Pays. No Alteration in the Alston Moor Mines since I saw you.

      I am &c Jona Hilton