Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 28 Jun 1808

Dear Sir                                               June 28th 1808



      In examining the Lead Mines under Col Beaumont I find the Eastend of the Coalcleugh Vein is not yet clear of the Cross Veins, a small one being discovered by the Galloway level, which is before the forehead in the Ore workings in a Sill called Pattinson about six or seven foot thick which produces Ore and is let at 35/p Bing to Michaelmas next, the Vein having to cross the main Vein in the great Limestone may be expected to increase the quantity of Ore which at present is not very great the forehead being lett at 32/6 p Bing and the length following at 30/ and the Cross Vein in Pattinson let at 35&40/ p Bing which is the highest price in all the Mines, unless a very particular case. - Wellhope Mines continued poor in the West end and likely to continue to the end of the Boundry and the East end never in a workable situation, the air Levels being so much behind the forehead of the Great Limestone that no effectual trial can be made until there be to the forehead which will take another quarter or two to complete;  The little Limestone is raising Ore, but poorer than last quarter; There is a better prospect at Hartley Cleugh than before, having met with a small Cross Vein in the great Lime which is promising Ore, and let for the Quarter at 36/ p Bing, and by working that vein forward, will lead Us to the East and West Veins, we have been <…ing> to discover.

      The Vein at Greenlaw Cleugh still appears unpromising and fear we shall be unfortunate at that place. - The great level below Coalcleugh is still driving forward and at a less price than before, by the Plate being better to work.  The level in Swinhope hath cut a vein, but supposed not the whole and are driving cross to find more before we make trial into any Sill.

      The Allenheads Lead Mines considerably poorer in the East end than last quarter and have been under the necessity of advancing the prices for raising Ore,  The flatts and Craig Shield likewise poor, and the ground hard to work were under the necessity of giving by the fathom, untill further Trial be made; The Cross cut at West end hath not discovered  any Vein on the west side of the great cross vein notwithstanding we are considerably beyond the line, but intend to persevere a little further. – 

      Weardale Lead Mines in general continue poor, the most of the Bargains lett at 48/p Bing, the highest price, and none under 35/ p Bing we have made preparation at Breckonsike for sinking another sump in the forehead, to prove the Vein in the Great Limestone once more, but fear, it will not prove successful; That Mine and Burtree Pasture will raise a considerable quantity of Ore this year, but the principal part at 48/p Bing.  Sedlin, Longsike, Slitt, Longlyhead and Kilhope are nearly all at 48/ pBing except driving the necessary Levels; - Blackdean there is 32 Men raising Ore from 40 to 48/ pBing. - Greenlaws hath produced about 150 Bings of Ore last Quarter, in the four fathom lime the prospect at present not good. - Middlehope Shield Mine is more promising, the appearance of Ore in the Vein induces the workmen to raise Ore at a less price per fathom at 30/ pBing to the top of the Limestone, where we intend to air the whole by a Bore hole from a shaft sunk from the surface and then make an effectual Trial and hope to lett Ore Bargains. - These are all the remarks I think necessary at this time expecting to see Coll. Beaumont at Allenheads in a little time and then can explain things more fully, where it is not properly understood for We Miners, like Sailors, have a language of our own best understood by People of the same profession    

      I remain Dear Sir &c Joseph Dickinson