Report – Thomas Dodd – 27 Oct 1807

Hon. Masters					Nenthead 27th Oct. 1807



	After Examining the sundry Lead Mines under my care, I Let on the 29th & 30th past the Bargains of which a list is annexed, & I hope the Court will be satisfied that I have used all possible care & frugality respecting the prices.

	Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss Mines are both raising Ore to advantage; At the former Jos. Dryden & co are Driving the Horse Level, which prepares the Veins for rais[ing] Ore - Hugh Pattinson & co are driv[ing] an upper Level from whence Sumps are frequently Sunk into the Horse Level as a necessary Communication for Airing & proving the Vein - Jon. Shield & co are driv[ing] across to a fresh String & will shortly raise Ore in it. Wm. Wharton & co are repair[ing] an old Level which is the general drain to the upper Workings in the Vein & proves the means of rais[ing] Ore from the old pickings. At Scaleburnmoss Thos. Humble & co are Driv[ing] the Horse Level in the Vein recently discovered (in the Lease called Scaleburn) which raises Ore very well - Thos. Hewitson & co are Cutting across to the abovement[ione]d Vein in the great Limestone - Jno. Hunter & co are Sinking a Shaft from the Surface to furnish the Mine with fresh Air.

	Middlecleugh Mine is poor but the dead work is much reduced. Jno. Sanderson & co are open[ing] an old Level driven in one of the Veins 40 years ago, but will for a small expense be put into repair & enable us to raise a good deal of Ore. Wm. Foster & co are driv[ing] one of the Horse Levels, & T. Armstrong another, both of which prepares the Veins for Trial.

	Small Cleugh is doing well - J. Stobbart & co are Driv[ing] the deep Level which drains all the Water off the Vein & brings it to the Engine - Wm. Richardson & co are Cutting across to the flats which are successful - Wm. Cousin & co are sinking a Sump into the deep Level to produce fresh Air.

	Hangingshaw Cross Vein & Caplecleugh are extremely poor, but after the Accomplishment of certain tryals, will I trust be more successful & therefore we look forward to better days. Wm. Walton & co at the former place are rising out of a Deep Level into the old soles or bottoms to drain the Vein & raise Ore. At Caplecleugh R. Dickinson are driving a Level to drain & air the Vein in the great Limestone, which will be a good while in finishing, but is sure to answer our expectation in the end.

	Garrigill Mines & Tynebottom are still poor. At Browngill Sun Vein Jos. Lancaster & co are sinking a Sump into the deep Horse Level & when finished will be a great advantage by way of draining the Mine, promoting fresh Air & rais[ing] Ore in the great Limestone - Wm. Tomlinson & co are Driv[ing] an upper Level & will soon sink into the Vein under the four fathom Limestone in expectation of meeting with Ore.

      Tynebottom Israel Hall & co are sink[ing] a Shaft & when at a proper Depth, will try the Vein for Ore.  J. Teesdale & co are rising to try the Vein in the great Limestone.

	At Gudamgill & Broomsberry, T. Walton & co are opening an old Level to the Vein & when finished we will be able to raise Ore to advantage.

	There is little alteration with Stanhope Mine since last report. J. Bainbridge & co are Driv[ing] the deep Level which is very hard & moves slowly. Jos. Vipond & co are making various repairs in the old Works, which will raise Ore. Bolts Law Mine in Derwent is poorer every day, but I have reduced the hands to 8 Men; I have already given the Court my Opinion respecting this place & hope they will soon come to a determination upon the Subjects. It goes very ill down with me to throw Money away where there is no prospect, besides Hall’s recent behaviour has been so very unaccountable, an Account of which will be laid before the Court by Mr. Tilson, Mr. Bainbridge having wrote him on that Subject. T. Bell & co are driving in the Vein, which is poor & can never be Wrought but to a manifest disadvantage, & there is no peace to be look’d for with the modern Buonaparte (Hall) but the usurper is not expected to Reign long.

      Middlehope Mine continues to do well. Chas. Maddison & co are Driv[ing] the main Horse Level, which accommodates the Mine with Water to Wash the Ore at the Level Mouth, is a Waygate for all the Ore & Rubbish & enables us to Work the whole Mine on the best & easiest principles - Thos. Gleason & co are Driv[ing] an upper Level as a means of Working the upper parts of the Vein. Rd. Elliot & co are Driv[ing] a Level under the Horse Level, in order to try the Vein under the great Limestone in the Quarry Hazel. The Teesdale Mines are poorer than for some time past, but with proper care in the Managem[en]t they will raise Ore as to preserve them from loss.

      At Lodgesyke (now the best of them) T. Robson & co are driving the Horse Level - At Mannergill Chr. Pinkny & co are driving a Level from the side of a Mountain to Cut to the Vein in a fresh part, & will no doubt raise Ore. Jas. Ainsty & co are opening an old Level by which the old pickings will raise Ore to advantage.

	Wiregill Mine is poor but will revive again when the Level driven by Jno. Nixon & co arrives at a certain point - Geo. Allison & co are Driving the deep Horse Level.

	Coldberry & Ireshopeburn Mines are still under trial. I have not yet heard from Sir Thos. White’s people.

      I am etc

      Thos. Dodd