Report – Thomas Dodd – 20 Jan 1810

Hond. Masters						Nenthead 20 Janry. 1810



	After a general examination of the Company’s Mines under my direction, on the 4, 5 & 6 Inst. I lett the Bargains a list of which is annex’d. Many parts of the Mines are much poorer this quarter than at Michlms. last, though a great number more Hands are employ’d, by reason of the Mines in the surrounding Country being so poor, of course the Miners cannot get Employment elsewhere.

	The distresses from the dearness of all sorts of provisions are very great, and those who have large Families, are under the necessity of seeking parochial relief. The prices are as low in every department of my Business, as the Situation of the places will admit of, and will upon the whole be found to turn up to very considerable advantage.

	Rampgill and Scaleburnmoss (which I always class together, being both connected with on deep Level) are poorer than last quarter, yet will do well. Robt. Elliott, Jno. Liverick & Jonathan Shield & co are each driving in different branches of Horse Levels, all connected with Rampgill Mine, and necessarily applied to the effectual working and accommodation of three different veins. Wm. Teasdale & co are cutting a Cross in the Great Lime, and will shortly raise Ore by the Bing. Wm. Armstrong & co are still repairing the Engine. (Please to see last report) At Scaleburnmoss John Thompson & co are sinking into the Vein in the Great Limestone. Matthew Hall & co are driving the Horse Level. Wm. Hall & co are repairing the principal Level & will soon be done, and Hugh Spotswood & co are driving the deep Level as a general Drain, express’d in last report. Smallcleugh Mine is raising Ore very well, but the Flatts are much poorer, though I have no doubt will open & again prove productive, so soon as fresh Strings or Leads intersect them. Wm. Richardson & co are driving the Horse Level. Thos. Robson & co are rising to search for a Flatt situated in the Limestone about 12 Feet above the present one. John Patrick are driving the deep Level connected with the bottom of the Engine. At Middlecleugh which is poor, tho’ not a losing concern, Mile Irwin, James Armstrong & Chr. Elliott & co are each driving Horse Levels in different veins, which enable us to prove the same in the different Stratums most likely to produce Ore. Garrigill Mines are still poor, but most of them being under unfinished’d trials, we must therefore exercise patience, and tho’ they are at present expensive, we are obliged to employ Hands to keep the Leases from Forfeiture.

	At Browngill Sun Vein Wm. Thomason & co are cutting a Cross to try the Vein in the Great Limestone in fresh Grounds. Jos. Hall & co are driving an Upper Horse Level to try the Upper Stratums in the Vein. At Browngill & Thortergill Jos. Wanless & co are driving a Level to try a fresh Vein in the Great Limestone & Isaac Teasdale & co are driving the Horse Level at Tynebottom which prepares the Vein for occasional Trials. At Hangingshaw Cross Vein Jno. Hall & co are driving the Horse Level to try & relieve the Vein of Water. And at Caplecleugh Robt. Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level.

	Middlehope Mine is raising Ore to much advantage though nothing like so rich as in the greatest part of last Year, for since the final separation of the Vein and New String, both are naturally weaker, and of course poorer. I have heard nothing from Col. Beaumont’s Agents since the time my Letter was sent to Mr. Morrison by the Court’s direction. A vast number of Hands are employed, & Jno. Postle & George Hill & co  are the two partnerships working in the String West from the Cross Cut (Please to see the plan) and the last end at present is good for nothing. We are not able to have any plan made upon the Surface until the Snow (which is abundant) get off the Mountains. Smith Elliott & co are sinking a Sump out of another Level for the accommodation of fresh Air, and trying the Upper Stratums. Jno. Kidd & co are driving the Level at Ireshopeburn, and the Mine much the same as when last reported. Last week I was in the Mine at Stanhope. The Level situated near the Smelting Mill in which the Vein and Flatt are cuts mention’d to the Court in my Letter of the 15 Decr. last is not so prosperous as I expected from the Report, tho’ will raise Ore pretty well at the prices you will meet with in the three foremost Bargains in the List. The Level goes on in a proper direction to cut & unwater several Veins & Flatts which have been wrought in a very defective way by former Companies, and will through the aid of said Level raise a good deal of Ore. Jacob Vickers & co are driving the Horse Level, and John Vipond & co are driving a Level northward for the discovery of more Flatts in the Great Limestone (where they are only to be found).

	The Teesdale Mines are not much alter’d since last report. Lodgesyke is doing well and employs more Hands, which raises Ore advantageously. Henry Robson & co are driving the upper Horse Level in the side of the Mountain, which opens an early passage to the Vein, where much Ore is raised. James Bainbridge & co are driving another Horse Level 22 Fa. Deeper, and by sinking between, a communication is opened, which furnishes the Mine with Air, drains the lower Stratums, and prepares them for raising the Ore. John Pinkney & co are cutting a Cross to the Vein, and will soon be done. Wm. Watson & co are sinking a Shaft from the Surface.

	At Wiregill, which is poor, John Nixon & co are driving the Horse Level & Jos. Schollick & co are driving the deep Level for discoveries. Chr. Pinkney & co are driving the Horse Level at Mannergill. Geo. Allison & co are opening & repairing an Old Level at East Rake, which is a Horse Level from the Surface, and will lead us into the Vein, but I have not a good opinion of this trial. John Watson & co are driving the Horse Level at Flakebrigg, and it will require a considerable time before the Level can arrive ay any likely object.

	The Gunpowder is now all gone that came last, and such an article as never came to Lead Mines. The Workmen were obliged to dry it before the Fire, before they could use it, and it is well that no misfortunes happen’d by it. I wrote for a quantity to be sent in the last parcel mark’d FB but not one cask of it came. I was obliged to send to Newcastle for 20 half Barrels to mix with the Bad, which was the same price as that order’d by the Court, and better Gunpowder I never saw.

	The Court will now please to order 60 half Barrels FB and 40 Qrs CB but except it be good, the Workmen will not use it.

	I am etc.   	

      Thos. Dodd Senr.