Report – Robert Stagg – 24 Jun 1816

General Report of Mines in Teesdale

	Midsummer 1816



Lodgesyke Brockergill Wiregill & Flakebrig Mines are no way materially altered since the last quarterly report



Coldberry still continues very poor & unpromissing although the appearance at the leading forehead is somewhat improved since last quarter



The prospects of Mannergill continued very flattering for a Week or two after the Lady day Bargains but have since then alterd greatly for the worse – we have now however got the leading Foreheads aired by a drift taken up for that purpose & are in consequence enabled to proceed with the trial, which all the District Agents think well worthy of further prosecution & we doubt not but eventually it will lead to an advantageous Mine	

	The Bargains above 40/- pr Bing are for pickings in parts of the Mines which had been left as being too poor to work & are all therefore entirely speculations on the part of the Men, at the same time there will be a very fair profit to the Company on all the Ore they may meet with besides affording the chance of leading to important discoveries (and to Miners that may be very advantageous) which is a case that has happened repeatedly in all the mining concerns in these Countries; for it is a notorious fact that a great proportion of the good Mines now working, were originally discovered by speculations of this discription made by the Men rather than they would be entirely out of work and it cannot but be most gratifying to the feelings of the Court to know that by the measure decided upon by the Gentlemen of the Deputation of allowing greater encouragement for picking the poor parts of the Mines, nearly the whole of their old Workmen have been reemployed, & consequently are relieved from the extreme of distress and will at the same time greatly benefit the concern by their employment.   This remark applies to the whole of the Districts.  I consider the Mines in Teesdale to be working now to the utmost advantage, as we have entirely got quit of the Pumps, & have likewise got the Waygates & Levels generally into fair repair & as we shall conclude all the extra Charges attendant on remor<xxx>ing the washing arrangements &c. during this Year I have no doubt whatever, unless the Mines greatly fail us, that the Teesdale district will raise the Lead next year to allow a fair profit even at the present low price.   The whole of the Workings in this & the other Districts were viewed prior to the Bargains by all the District Agents and the Bargains let on their joint opinions; & are all I believe as low as possible; In fact I fear that the Mens average Wages will fall greatly short of our intentions, at the close of the Year, for multitudes of them have not yet earned the amount of their Monthly advances, Viz 30/- p Week [sic, but must surely have meant 30 shillings/ month.]

      Rob Stagg