Letters – Benjamin Johnson to Finlay & Hodgson – 3 Oct 1833

Messrs Finlay Hodgson & Co	London				Newcastle Oct 3rd 1833



      I am in receipt of your letters of the 27th28th& 30thult and have the pleasure of forwarding Mr Pattinsons Report upon the Lead Ores. You will observe that he now thinks we ought not to sell any unrefinable Ore under £9-10 a Ton, whereas in his letter of 11th Sept he states “My opinion is that Mr B[eaumon]t should not on any account have less than £3-10 in a Bing” which would be £8-15 a ton. I suppose the difference of his opinion to arise from the recent Sale made in Wales at £10 a Welsh Ton of 2400 lb. I thought this price had been obtained from the Ore containing an extra quantity of Silver, but upon enquiring I find the Welsh Ores are not refinable. Mr Pattinsons observation as to selling Ordinary Ref[ine]d Lead as common      

      I do not think we ought to put this practice to any extent, indeed should Mr P[attinson]s separating system come into full operation, there would be no need as the whole of the separated Lead has been considered Common Lead, but should Lead suitable for making White Lead be operated upon in this way, it must of course be into 12 stone Pieces and sold as Selected Refined. If the Parties are anxious to purchase Ore, it is probable they would not object to the Barney Craig and Swinhope Ores, provided they could get them Refined after smelting. It is pretty certain they cannot be supplied from any other district of which you will doubtless make the most. To cut in upon our Ores suitable for common Lead should if possible be avoided; but if not practicable we must meet it by substituting a portion of Ordinary refined Lead as suggested by Mr P[attinson], and practiced in Walker & Co case. I am quite of your opinion that a sale of 3000 Tons is most desirable.



London Company Pays

	The London Company pay their men upon the same principle as Mr B[eaumon]ts are paid – They receive monthly Subsistence, I believe 40s/- if they are supposed to have earned it –ours receive 30s/-. Their mining year ends 31st of Oct ours 30th Sept. They make their annual great Pay in January, we in March or April. Their Produce is about 1/3 of ours, consequently sooner <drawn>.



Bankers Acc[oun]t

	I beg to call your attention to our favourable balance with our Bankers, which you know carries no Interest. Might not half the am[oun]t be applied in Payment of the Legacies on liquidation of Mr B[eaumon]ts London debts? Batson & Co are in advance about £3000 on Elective Acct and £5000 advanced to Mr B[eaumon]t upon which Interest is charged.

							BJ