Report – Robert Stagg – 30 Sep 1815

General Report of Teesdale Mines 30th Sepr 1815  



The trials at Wiregill, Brockergill, Flakebridge and Mannergill are proceeding with little or no variation of circumstances



Colberry is considerably poorer & less promising, the Ore raised at this Mine we find, on Smelting is of a very poor quality indeed, it is richer in Silver however than the Lodgesyke; I find by the Assays made of that it contains about 10 Oz p[er] Fother



Lodgesyke The leading Workings improve considerably the latter end of quarter, & the prices are accordingly reduced in proportion, as the Court will observe by referring to the annexed list of Bargains, the whole of Which have been let as low as possible, & on the principal fixed, by the Gentlemen of the Deputation. 



I have not made a great reduction of pickmen this quarter, but in a Week or two we shall have not less than 50 Men & Boys fewer than we have had during the summer; as I have declined letting any bargains in the Mines to those employed in Washing, & in labourage at the buildings, and crushing Mill; which are nearly completed; and which will throw out of employment the number of hands quoted.  Several of the partnerships have taken bargains this quarter in Old parts of the Mine which have been given up befour, in order to prevent being intirely out of work, & Many of them Will, in all probability, be wrought out during the present Quarter, when the Men now working them must leave of course, which I prefer to giving them an absolute dismissal.   I find it extremely painful and difficult to dismiss the Workmen under existing circumstances, as there is no other Work to be obtained in Teesdale.   I shall however continue to proceed upon the plan fixed; which I am fully convinced will best promote the Companys interest

[Table of bing-rate and fathom-rate bargains is given in the margin. This and subsequent quarterly tables are given in the spreadsheet ‘NEIMME LLC/40 Bargains’ available to download]