Report – Thomas Dodd – 16 Apr 1808

Hon. Masters						Nenthead 16th Apr. 1808



	After a general View of the Mines under my care I Let on 30th & 31st past the Bargains of which a List is annexed. I have as proposed, reduced the prices with difficulty to 42/ per Bing £11.5 per Ton the highest. The no. of hands are a little increased, but those on Dead Bargains are nearly the same as last Qua[rte]r, Tho’ many of the Mines are not rich, yet there are a number of favorable prices among the whole so that on the aggregate they will do well, except the Lead Markets get still lower; however I have done everything in my power to prepare you to meet those uncertain Events.

	Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines are raising Ore to advantage & being well accommodated with suitable Levels & other requisite Conveniences will do good for a long time, tho’ they were in a ruined state when I began with them & have been redeemed by great exertion. R. Peart & co as per List are Driv[in]g the Horse Level at Rampgill. Wm. Wharton & co are opening & repairing an upper Level & will soon finish, & Wm. Hall & co are Driv[in]g the principal deep Level. At Scaleburnmoss Thos. Havelock & co are Cutting a Cross in a fresh place to the Vein recently Discovered. J. Hunter & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level as necessary preparation for raising the Ore. - Small Cleugh Mine is doing vastly well in raising a considerable quantity of the best Ore I ever saw, & the bulk of it at favorable prices. - Wm. Richardson & co are Driving a Cross to the flats which are very hopeful. T. Armstrong & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level & J. Stobbart & co are Driv[ing] the deep Level which gradually brings the Water off the Vein to the Engine & prepares the Soles or Bottoms for raising Ore.

	Middle Cleugh Mine is much the same as last Quar[te]r. Wm. Bright & co are Driv[ing] one of the Horse Levels, I. Thompson & co are driving a Horse Level in another of the Veins, & C. Elliot & co in a third one, all of which are necessary for the effectual Working of the Mine. Emerson Cain & co are rising into the Vein in the great Limestone, but will soon finish & raise Ore. R. Dickinson & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level at Caple Cleugh.

	Garrigill Mines & Tynebottom are still poor, but are under the most frugal management. Jos. Lancaster & co at Browngill Sun Vein are Cutting a Cross to the Vein in the great Limestone which I trust will prove successful. J. Smith & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level. I.Teasdale & co are Driv[ing] D[itto] at Tynebottom. T. Walton & co are Driv[ing] D[itto] at Broomsberry (see last Report).

	Teesdale Mines are poor in some parts, but Lodgesyke is considerably improved.

I have been particularly positive in my last Visit respecting the general expense in that Country, & expect my orders will be attended to. G. Allison & I. Nixon & co are each Driv[ing] a Horse Level at Wiregill, one for discovery & the other to drain the Vein. I. Watson & co are Driv[ing] the new Level at Flakebrig. T. Robson & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level at Lodgesyke, which Mine is doing well.  C. Pinkny & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level at Mannergill.

	Middlehope Mine is still doing vastly well, which to me is a source of satisfaction.

C. Maddison & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level.

      I.Kidd & co are Driv[ing] D[itto] at Ireshopeburn.

	Stanhope Mine being so very poor, I was obliged to continue the prices the same as last Quar[ter], but hope in the course of another Year that Mine will be kept from loss. T. Wilkinson & co are Driv[ing] the deep Level. 

      I am anxious to have fresh orders & information respecting the disagreeable Business in Derwent. Hall has been for some time past in London, probably endeavouring to make his way to his friend the Lord Chancellor. I think I inform’d the Court that his Lordship married Hall’s Cousin, a Sister to the Surtees of Newcastle. The Washing is now begun in the Moor & I requested in my Letter of 26th past to have a person appointed in Hayton’s place & beg the Court will give me immediate orders on that point. I never had so much trouble & vexation with any man on Earth as Hayton, but am resolved never to have more from that Quarter.

      I am etc

      Tho. Dodd