Letter – Martin Morrison to Diana Beaumont – 25 Nov 1820

      Newcastle 25th Novemr 1820

Mrs Beaumont Bretton Hall



I have given you Credit in my Cash Acc[oun]t for £15 of Reed & Co’s Notes rec[eiv]ed in your Letter of the 16th inst. – The water at Coalcleugh is somewhat abated, sufficient to see a little more into the Vein, but not enough to form any correct opinion as yet of its probable productiveness. Respecting the <day> Level suggested by Wm Crawhall to be driven from the side of West Allen River. I beg to observe it is the only Trial in that district likely to intersect Veins known to exist in, and bearing East from the Alston Moor side of the Boundary. – If the Mines now extensively explored and exhausted, are to be perpetuated it is only to be effected by a judicious application of Dead work and had this not been the case for years past, the produce of Ore at this day would have been reduced to a small quantity indeed both in the Northumberland & Durham Mines. The Expense of the proposed Level will cost three or four hundred pounds a Year for about four years and were it my own I should instantly proceed in the work. – I can assure you, Madam, of my perfect conviction that your Mines are conducted with every attention to economy possible, and with a success that ought to preclude any doubt either of the Zeal or ability of the Agents employed. – I have had George Crawhall with me and the Bargains in Weardale have commenced: to diminish the necessary dead work and thereby in a short time, lessen the produce of Ore, would not, after the Agreement to pay so large a sum to Mr Phillpotts be a mode calculated to indemnify you against this additional charge, or enable you to meet the other heavy payments, with which those Mines are burthened. – I have had no views from the commencem[en]t of my Services which have not tended to the security of your property, and the advancement of your [struck out: property] Interest; and experience impresses upon my mind, the conviction that your Mine Agents are in ability well qualified for their situation, and highly respectable for integrity of Character; should however you and Mr Beaumont conclude, that a person from the Cornish Mines strongly recommended, altho[ugh] the produce of Lead there is comparatively small, is more competent to conduct with greater advantage, Mines in Northumberland & Durham in all respects different and of which He can have no practical (the most essential) knowledge, it will then be a subject for your determination, and how far the change, from a system hitherto successful, may in its application affect important Interests at Stake, is a consideration which claims and undoubtedly will engage your most serious attention. – I am etc		MM