Report – George Crawhall to Martin Morrison – 30 Jun 1815

Coalcleugh Lead Mines  June 30. 1815



      The Mines at Coalcleugh etc in general are extremely poor, & the produce of course becomes less. - I had a consultation with the other Agents previous to the Bargains respecting to the prices to be given &c. we was all of an Opinion that it would not be advantageous to Col. Beaumont to reduce the price pBing in the poorest Workings, as many of the Mens earnings do not exceed their subsistence Money, & this Quarter being the close of the Year it would be attended with a great deal of labour & expense in cleaning out the workings & keeping a seperation; we have reduced the price of the better workings as much as they wod <admit> of.

      We have the Sump at the East End holed to the Low Level, but <fear> the extra quantity of Water we have <losed> & the scanty supply of <dbey> Water to work the Engine occasioned by the dry season; I am afraid we will get very little done this quarter as the Low Level is nearly full of Water. -

           The Level begun last quarter to drive to the North is a cross String at the East End is going forward and offers to do tolerably well as far as we have driven in the Limestone, I have let a Bargain in it to 4 Men at 30/pBg.   We have not begun any fresh trials this quarter or carrying forward any dead work but what is necessary further conducting & carrying on the regular Workings. 

      	The Ore Bargains at Coalcleugh East end consist of 10 Men raising Ore @ 30/pBg. 6 Men @ 35/ pBg. 14 Men @ 30/ pBg.  12Men @ 40/pBg & 28 Men @ 42/ pBg.  at the West end 12 Men are raising Ore @ 40/pBg & 30 Men @ 42/pBg.

      The Barney Craig Levels are going forward as usual but have met with no Veins.

      Welhope, the foremost length we have opend at the East End is extremely poor & cannot be wro[ugh]t at the price that is now given, the other old Workings are equally poor which has rendered me unable to let one single Bargain, so that place is entirely abandoned for the present.

      Hartley Cleugh - the South End continues to raise a quantity of Ore, but not so good as usual, the north end has become so poor that we are under the necessity of abandoning it:  the Bargains to raise Ore are 6 Men @ 28/pBg 8 Men @35/ & 10 Men @ 40/ pBing.

      Keirsley Row & Bates hill trials are going forward as usual, I have let Bargains to 4 Men to raise Ore @ 40/ pBg @ Keirsley Row, it being the first attempt to raise Ore, I cannot form an idea of the produce as we have not run into this Vein.

            I remain &c George Crawhall