Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 21 Oct 1807

Mr Morrison                                     Dufton   21st October 1807



      I take the liberty to send you a statement of the Lead Mines belonging to Colonel Beaumont at Michaelmas 1807 - Beginning with Coalcleugh the East end of which is better than last quarter and likely to continue. - The West flatts with the Cross Vein hath produced a considerable quantity  of Ore last Quarter and <offers> to come forward Eastwards, I am informed these flatts were given up Twenty years since being deceived by their inclining more to the South than expected, several cross cutts have been made out of the Horse Level to find them and fallen short, one of these cross cutts is now continued forward, and a Sump into these flatts are raising Ore very well.  - The Wellhope Lead Mines continue poor, particularly the West end of the Main Vein which is little more than 10 Fathoms short of the Boundiry, - the East end of that Vein is now left at 40[s] p Bing which has been worked by the fathom for years past.- Should that forehead continue it will be a substitute for the other, the other Vein in Wellhope being poor and the old workings nearly out, the produce of that Mine will be less than last year.  Hartley Cleugh Veins still continue divided and likely  to continue so untill they come to Cross Vein. - The Trial at Greenley Cleugh is still going forward and the two Levels one below Coalcleugh and the other in Swinhope is driving forward with all possible expedition.

      Allenheads Lead Mines being in general in a poor previous situation particularly the East end, the foreheads & flatts at that end being at too much distance from the Whimsey shaft, the most convenient way, will be to sink out of the Fawside Level near to the intersection of that Level and the Vogue Level / about 30 fathoms under/ bringing the Work out at  that Level will deliver that Bouse Ore near to the intended Crushing Mills which is fixed on and preparation in making for that purpose.  The flatts on the West side have been successful the last Quarter and likely to continue, no further deceiving has been made, of any Vein to the West of the great Cross Vein, We are still cross cutting for that purpose and in  hope we shall succeed.

      Weardale Lead Mines in general continue upon the decline, Breckonsike the leading Mine begins to work out, and the forehead still  continues without Ore in the upper Sills, the low Level about 20 fathoms deeper than the Waggon Level, begins to raise Ore but will be between two or three years before it can take water out of the foreheads of the Great Limestone workings.  - Burtree Pasture Mine is poorer last Quarter, a principal part of the Great Limestone is now under Water and We cannot collect a sufficient quantity of Water to drive a small Engine and taking out the water by the workmen is very expensive.  Medliss and Slitt Mines both poor, the background nearly worked out and the foreheads have not produced any Ore for some time. - the Vein cut on the East side (in the great Level) of Medliss Burn looks better the further we rise in the Limestone.

      Wolfcleugh hath raised more Ore than was expected at Midsummer and particularly on the East side of the Burn, the low Level is upon the point of holing to the Engine and will relieve the uppermost stand of Pumps, and give liberty to sink deeper into the Old Vein. - The rest of the Old Mines are doing very little to increase the quantity of Ore and some of them I fear will hardly save themselves, the Bargains with Alex <Traley> at Brandon Walls and with Chas Emerson of Harhope Gill are both renewed. –

      A first summary in the upper Sill of an old Vein on the West side of Weardale at a place called <Burnhope> a Hush for <removing> has been made some time since and was giving up without success two little Boys had found some small pieces of Ore in the sides of the Old Hush gutter and in working further found the quantity of Ore increase which encouraged some workmen to take a Bargain to raise Ore the last quarter, who have made very good wages and there will be three or four partnerships this quarter which expect will do very well at 50Sp Bing without anything for dead work, which is the highest price We have given at this time in any of the Mines, having reduced the prices from 55s to 50sp Bing and likewise the under pricing  proportion and dead work price likewise where it could be done, the every one may bear their part in the downfall of Lead.

       When Mr Cockshutt was up, a complaint was made by Mr Little and Mr Emerson, about the prices for taking the Work out of the Mines by Levels and Whimseys, they think the present prices being too little, not being any advance for upwards of 30 years and both the Horses and their feed being considerably advanced since that time; they say Mr Cockshutt promised to take that part into consideration the first time he came round and they have done work at the same rate untill now:  It being mentioned to him again, I understand he referred it to you and me to settle the prices, and I have made enquiry in Alston Moor of the great Company and some of the others and find the general prices to be 4/6d pShift for the Horse beside the Driver which in some places is 1/2d in others 1/4d and in others 1/6d pShift - I had a conversation with Messrs Emerson and Little and they have agreed to take 4/6d pShift for both Horse & Driver, which believe is very reasonable & if you think it right, desire you will let them know, otherwise they cannot settle Accts with the Workmen

            Signed          Jos Dickinson