Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 25 Mar 1808

Mr Morrison

           In my remarks of the state of the Lead Mines under Colonel Beaumont about the 25th of March 1808 I find the Coalcleugh in general poor, some of the East end workings, in the great Lime which was generally the best, all under water, owing to the Engine getting wrong and could not be repaired immediately, she was going very well when I was there but would require some time to clear the works again, having very little to spare in drawing the general feeder.

      The West flatts still continues, and extends considerably that more men may be employed and tho these flatts are very hard, and in general requires a great price p Bing to raise the Ore, there is only one Ptership of 6 Men who is raising Ore at 28/p Bing and nine in any of the Mines above 48/ that being the highest price given at these bargains being a reduction of 2/ p Bing. - At the beginning of the Bargains at Coalcleugh I explained to the workmen what they had a right to expect from the present appearance of the times, - that Lead was down to £22, and if the Frenchmen could bring it lower he would undoubtedly try that when such times as there comes, it was the duty of every man to bear a part; We intended theirs a very small one, only a reduction of 2/ p Bing for raising Ore and dead work reduced in proportion and if only they would continue at their work an Hour or two longer every day they would make up that draw back upon them to their Families & then every man would be doing his duty. - After that was explained to them we had no further trouble, every man took his Bargain at that reduced price chearfully and the report of the prices were gone before me to Allenheads and Weardale and required no further explanation

      Welhope Mines are very poor, the principal Vein to the west end is near to the Boundry & very poor, and the Ore raised at that Mine is all at 48/p Bing except one partnership at 30/ p Bing in a Lime above the great Lime, some trials had been made in this lime before, but none succeeded before this, should it take to carry Ore in this Sill there is a large extent unworked. - The east end of the Main Vein hath been poor last Quarter: the plans of Trial for Hartley Cleugh & Greenley Cleugh not yet finished.  The new level below Coalcleugh and the Trial in Swinhope going forward with all possible expedition. - Allenheads is now the most flourishing Mine, particularly the Eastend, one Bargain at 24/ p Bing, 2 Bargains @ 25/ and some more @ 30/ p Bing   We have fixed upon a place up the Fawside level for a Whimsey Ring and to sink into the eastend workings a few fathoms before the leading forehead and we are likely to find the Vein to the West of the great Cross Vein, the workmen on the last day of March were coming to a Vein of some sort, which Mr Crawhall promised to describe to me when Cut through, and have been anxiously looking for his Report.

      Weardale Lead Mines are in general Poor, Breckonsike and Burtree Pasture produce the most Ore which in general is raised at 48/ p Bing, there being only four or five exceptions and there not much under;  In driving up the low level to unwater the great Lime at the forehead at Breckonsike, there is Ore found in the four fathom Lime and the Hazell Sill under which works at the high price p Bing and keep 30 & 40 men employed   we expect the further He drive the Ore will be better, which was found in the Sills above. -  Sedlin, Slitt, Longsike and Kilhope all the Ore Bargains at these places are lett at 48/ p Bing ( being 58 Bargains) and no dead work carried forward at any of these Mines except two levels at Slitt.  - Wolf Cleugh very poor, three Bargains let at 48/ p Bing and three more Bargains in driving and sinking to make further Trial.  - The Vein below Bollihope Mill is more promising than for some time past, but another Shaft will be to sink, before any effectual trial can be made.

      Crawlah Lead Mine there Ptnerships all lett at 48/ p Bing.  Longlyfoot Lead Mines six Bargains all lett at 48/ p Bing one of them to have 40/ p fathom for driving 6fathoms.  ?Level Gate Level is one lett at £6-15/ p fathom and two or three Ore Bargains in the Sills above Level at 48/ p Bing.  Blackdean level at £6 p fm & 30/ p Bing <> Ore Bargains above, one at 40/ the other at 45/ p Bing. - GreenLaws and Middle hope shield still continues expensive Mines, every Sill full of water and the Air will not circulate as in some other Mines.

      In Novem 18/1805 George Crawhall had measured the ground in Isaac Pearts field at Blackdean that they were under the necessity of taking, at the least for the convenience of Dressing Ore etc & found it to be about 1/7 of an Acre. - if He value the land at £100 p Acre it will amount to about £14-5-8.  Or, valuing it at £140 will be £20  which I believe is by far too much for the ground, but suppose he will have some small damage in his other ground, which generally happens in Land so near a Lead mine, which I have proved by experience.  Or suppose you should give him 20/ p Year in a Rent charge for the time you have occation for it, and then his Land again, at that time it would be of no further use to you.  I had contracted a Cold when I left you and am only just recovering, being confined a few days.  I remain Dear Sir - Your faithful hble St 

                             Jos Dickinson