Letter – Joseph Dickinson to Thomas Richard Beaumont – 15 Mar 1793

							Coalcleugh March 15th 1793

Sir

      In my opinion a Division of the Commons in Hexhamshire and the Allandales, as it is only to be in part, can never injure the carriage of Ore and Lead from the Leadmines, as that part to be enclosed will be very improveable and enable the Carriers to keep a greater Stock of Galloways in a very few years, the remaining part by making it a Stinted Common, will give every Farmer a proportionable Share, so that a poor man that has not a sufficient quantity of Stock of his own will have the opportunity of enjoying his right, by letting his Stints, which is not the case at present, the  Occupiers of the Land who are the best able to purchase Stock generally have a greater quantity of Stints upon the Common in the Summer Season, than they have any right to, and consequently injuring his poor Neighbour, who keeps a few carrier Gallows.

      As to the making Waggon Ways from the Mines to the Lead Mills, I think can scarcely be practicable on account of the high Fells to go over; the cutting down Hills, together with the great expence of making Bridges over such a great number of deep hollow gills, and purchasing way leave through the enclosed Lands etc would create such a prodigious expence, (that even if a Waggon way can be made) I presume to say any advantage which could be gained by it would never be adequate to the great outlay.

      I am,  Sir Your most obedt h’ble Servt to Command

      Jo: Dickinson