Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 10 Jan 1812

M Morrison Esq								Dufton 10 Jany 1812



       Yours of the 17 Dec last Rec[eiv]ed at Coalcleugh on the 26, the contents of which was a confirmation of the bad news we had in Westmorland. Upon inspecting the Mines at Coalcleugh, and their accounts now preparing for the Pay, found they would bear a little reduction at present, without reducing the Miners to extremity, & therefore reduced the prices for raising Ore to 38s per B[in]g & the Dead Work in proportion, and at Allenheads upon inspecting the Mines, & their Accts. found they wo[ul]d bear the same reduction. I have made it a general rule through the whole, except in some particular places, where if not worked out at present, not likely to come at afterwards. [i.e. places in the mines where it is worth paying miners extra to make sure all the ore is extracted, as there is unlikely to be access to remove the ore at a later date]

       Coalcleugh Mines nearly as last quarter, still continues to raise more Ore than expected from appearances, particularly the East end, by pursuing the South Vein, have found a Cross Vein, which at present continues to raise Ore, and likely to continue, we let 36 Ore Bargains from 25s to 38s per Bing. 

       Wellhope & Hartleycleugh, prices the same & 15 Ore Bargains

       Allenheads Lead Mines poorer than last Quarter, & particularly the Vein in the East End, and the Lime Sill continues to go down to the East, that a part is now under the Water Level, and shall be under the necessity of sinking into a <Slate> Bed under, to drive the level, & to <present> the Water into the Water Level, we have let 26 Ore Bargains at 25s the others from 30s to 38s per Bing.

       Weardale, Breckonsike in general poor, the low Level will be up to the forehead in a little time, & will prove the Lime Sill deeper than before which hope will be of service to that Vein, we have let 17 Ore Bargains from 35s to 38s per B[in]g.

Burtree Pasture Vein hath raised a considerable quantity of Ore the last year, but is now divided into two, & fear both will not produce so much the ensuing year, we have let 11 Ore Bargains, from 28s to 38s per B[in]g at that Mine.

Kilhope continues poor, we have now let 6 Ore Bargains at 38s per Bing.

Sedlin Mine continues regularly poor, & may be compared to a Hospital taking all those that hath not employment elsewhere, not less than 23 Ore Bargains all at 38s per Bing.

Middlehope Shield Vein being very hard requires high prices for raising Ore, we have let 11 Ore Bargains from 36s to 38s per Bing, there is hopes of better Eastward. 

The Vein recovered from the Lead Co. is very poor & will not work without a price per fathom, I believe the Ore in that Vein will not pay the expences.

Slitt Vein poor, 8 Ore Bargains all at 38s per Bing (the [level short] of expected Ore

Longsike, poor in the Old Workings, 6 Ore Bargains at 38s per Bing, the Level not up.

Greenlaws very poor, only One Ore Bargain at 38s per Bing

Levelgate, old ground, five Ore Bargains & all at 38s per B[in]g.

Blackdene, old ground, five Ore Bargains at 38s per Bing

Allercleugh, a poor weak vein but continues to raise Ore in 8 Bargains at 38s per Bing

Crawlah , poor, only 2 Ore Bargains, at 38s per Bing & one at £11.10. per F[ath]om in Lead

Longtyhead, five Ore Bargains at 38s per Bing

Wolfcleugh & Broaddale Pasture 8 Ore Bargains at 38s per Bing.



The above Bargains are what were let at the general Bargains; there being at each of the Mines several Men out of employment, and very likely will find places in the Old Works to try for Ore at the head price, & several of these Bargains at different Mines I fear are taken with a View of having their advance Money continued but I think more particularly in Weardale, whether I am right in my conjecture or not only time will prove.

I am etc Jos Dickinson