Letter – Martin Morrison to Thomas Fenwick – 18 Apr 1826

Mem[orandum] given to Mr Fenwick Agent to Bishop of Durham – 18 April 1826



The Duty on foreign Lead imported previous to 5 July 1826 was 20 pCent ad valorum so that if the price of Pig Lead was at £22 pTon, the am[ou]nt would be £4.8  pTon. The Duty charged since 5 July 1825 is £2 pTon without reference to value 2. Difference  £ 2  8 



      The protection given to English Mines having ceased, by the high duty being withdrawn; the importation of foreign Lead last year, exceeded in quantity that of any former one, and amounted to upwards of 3500 Tons or 70,000 Pigs and by which a reduction in the price of English Lead has since July 1825 taken place, of at least 20 pCent; and if this encouragement to the importation of foreign Lead and Lead Ore is continued, of which judging of the proceedings of the Legislature, there can be no reason to doubt; it is difficult to say the extent of injury and distress that await the English Lead Mines. – Recently Lead has been sold at Stockton at £19, 18 and even so low as £17 pF[othe]r of 22 Cwt – 

      The Duty on foreign Lead Ore, previous to the 5th July 1825 was £1.16. .. pTon; the duty since the 5 July 1825 is ten shillings pTon, and according to information recently obtained, the quantity of Lead Ore imported into Liverpool since the adoption of this low duty, has been 2000 Tons, a great part of which has been smelted into Lead. – 

      The Surrenders in Weardale, the Suit in Chancery with  Mr Rippen for Trespass. – other Trespasses have been committed, notices to discontinue are disregarded. –



      Import Duty

before the 5th July 1825

  Pig Lead £20 pCent Ad valorum

  Lead Ore £1-16- . p Ton 



since the 5th July 1825

  Pig Lead £2 – p Ton	

  Lead Ore – 10/- - p Ton 



Custom House	 17 April 1826	                J S Soper