Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 6 Apr 1813

Martin Morrison Esq Newcastle						Dufton 6th April 1813



Dear Sir, 

       I now sit down to give you my opinion of the different Lead Mines, with an account of the Bargains we have let, and shall begin as I inspected them, Coalcleugh is poorer in general than last quarter & of course the Prices higher, but believe not equal to the decline of the Mine, The West Flatts which hath been a great support for the some time, is working out, & unless some fresh discovery in that part, will reduce the number of Workmen greatly; the East forehead of the South Vein is the most hopeful at present, and now let to 6 Men at 28s per Bing the other parts of the Mine 4 Men at 30s per B[in]g. 4 at 32s. 6 Men at 35s. 4 Men at 36s. 10 Men at 38s. 15 Men at 40s. 46 Men at 42s and 12 Men at 42s per Bing & something over for dead Work & 20 Men driving Levels & other necessary dead Work, & about 40 Men out of employment.

       Hartley Cleugh Lead Mine poorer than for sometime past, which you will see by the Bargains 2 Men at 38s per Bing 6 Men at 40s per Bing. 16 Men at 42s. 10 Men at 42s per B[in]g & a little over for dead Work, & 6 Men driving Levels & other dead work. There is a Vein discovered on the Alston Moor side of the Fell supposed to be Blagill Vein which was formerly wrought to great advantage, and was lost by a Cross Vein intersecting her, and could not be recovered at that time[.] Joseph Little will point the newly discovered Vein between this & Midsummer, when you may expect to hear further from me concerning that Vein.

       Allenheads Lead Mine poorer than for sometime, particularly the East end, which you will see by the Bargains 16 Men at 35s per Bing. 8 Men at 37s. 43 Men at 42s per B[in]g. & 62 Men at 42s per B[in]g & something for dead Work. 37 Men driving levels etc & about 40 Men out of employment. In my January Report of 1812 you will see the reason for sinking under Level at the East end, not meeting with the quantity of Water expected in the Quarry Sill encouraged us to continue the sinking, & if possible to prove the four fathom Lime, we sunk to the top of it, where the Vein had left us a little to the North, but driving cross we cut the Vein at the top of the Sill which had a favourable appearance but at the same time found such a quantity of Water that we could not see the bottom since. If that Sill should carry Ore would open a fresh field of Working every way from the Engine foot.

       Weardale Leadmines in general poor, which you will see by the Bargains.

Breckonsike. 22 Men at 42s per Bing. 34 Men at 42s & something over & 6 Men driving etc.

Burtree Pasture. 8 Men at 32s per Bing. 8 Men at 35s. 16 Men at 38s. 16 Men at 39s. 18 Men at 42s per Bing with a little over & 12 Men driving Levels etc.

Sedlin. 52 Men at 42s per Bing. & 63 Men at 42s per Bing with something over

Company’s Vein. 10 Men at 40s per B[ing]. & 42 s per B[in]g. a little over for dead Work 

Middlehopeshield. 32 Men at 42s & 14 Men at 42s a little over. 20 Men driving Levels.

Kilhope. 8 Men at 42s & 6 Men at 42s per B[in]g a little over

Slitt. 17 Men at 42s. 7 Men at 42s with a little over

Longsike. 2 Men at 42s & 12 Men at 42s per B[in]g a little over & 8 Men sinking

Greenlaws. 10 Men at 42s & 8 Men at 42s per B[in]g a little over, 8 Men driving level

Allercleugh. 10 Men at 42s per B[in]g & 14 Men driving Levels by Bing & Fa[tho]m

Levelgate. 10 Men at 42s & 8 Men driving Level to Longsike

Blackdean. 16 Men at 42s. 26 Men at 42s & a little over. 6 Men driving Level.



The above are what Bargains we let at this time besides there will be several whose bargains were not finished at every Mine, & I fear several of those we let were looking to the Cash in advance which will be <found> at the end of the Year increasing the Old Debt. Breckonsike doth not look well, when we have brought up the low Level the only benefit is proving the flatts which hath raised Ore at the head Price [.] Burtree Pasture looks better than for two or three Quarters past & hope will continue. Sedlin hath done very well ever since the Engine Pumps were settled, the North End is nearly up to the Great Cross Vein but the other I hope will continue for many Years. Middlehope Shield & the other adjoining the Co. are very like in appearance I still hope they will be better by driving Eastward particularly Middlehopeshield the other we are seeking for Flatts. Kilhope nothing can be expected without driving a Level up the Burn to open out all the Veins. Slitt Mine is nearly done. Longsike is just opening out with the Great Level which will prove the Lime Sill. Greenlaws is more promising at present but fear it will be as before. Allerclough is producing Ore by rising out of Blackdean Level into the Old Workings & bringing out the Work at that Level[.] Wolfcleugh & Broaddale Pasture are both very poor & fear they will be attended with expence before they be proved.

Yours etc Jos. Dickinson