Report – George Crawhall to Martin Morrison – 1 Jan 1817

      Coalcleugh Bargains



      The Mines at Coalcleugh are extremely poor & nearly the whole of the Ore Workings require considerably more price pBing (if the value of Lead would admit of it) to make the Workmen a sufficient maintenance than is now given as there is nothing of consequence at Coalcleugh but Workings that have been wrought for a series of years & of course they got much exhausted & require a greater price; the earnings are now & will be the ensuing quarter very low, and without we meet with something shortly more productive than what we have, it will be impossible to continue the number of Workmen that are now employed at Coalcleugh; they are nearly all employed at present but I am afraid a part of their earnings will not exceed their Subsistence Money. - We have met with nothing new since the last Report, but I am of opinion we are approaching near to Whitewood Vein in the North Level at the east end we have cut some strong strings that I suppose to be near the Vein.   The eastward forehead in the Limestone is not so good as last quarter & producing very little Ore at present, there is nothing more particular, the other necessary Dead Work is going on at Reduced Prices.  -  The Barneycraig Level is going on as usual but have cut no Veins.   The eastward Workings are generally poor, the Bargains consist of 4 Men raising Ore @ 25/. 6 @ 29/. & 40 Men @ 30/ pBing.  the Westward Workings are also poor, the Bargains are 4 Men raising Ore @ 28/ & 52 @ 30/ pBing. 16 Men are raising Ore in the topsills @ 30/ pBing.

      Hartley  Cleugh  - We have opened a length since last quar. at the south end which continues very poor and no better appearance for raising Ore, the back ground us raising Ore much better than last quarter, & the Men are all employed, the Bargains are Six Men raising Ore & 20/. 6 @ 26/. & 20 & 28/ pBing.

      Keirsley Row Level is going forward with 6 Men & 10 Men are raising Ore @ 30/ pBing. Bateshill has produced a few Bings of Ore the last Quarter but have met with nothing that will work at the price pBing now given, 4 Men continue making a further trial.

                       I remain etc

                                  George Crawhall