Report – Thomas Dodd – 31 Oct 1812

      Nenthead, Octo[be]r 31st, 1812

The Hon The Gov[erno]r & Co,

      Having gone through and visited the Company’s Mines under my care, on the 15th, 16th, & 17th inst I lett the Bargains, and have, with this transmitted a List of the same. The utmost frugality has been attended to in all the Mineral Operations under my direction during the present year, which is now closed, & which I am persuaded will turn up to the satisfaction of the Court, but at the same time many necessary trials have been avoided on account of the strict injunctions we were laid under in the Court’s resolution to produce the Lead at Market at the prices specified therein. I must therefore apprize the Court, that except they give me directions to put on a little more Dead Work in some of the likeliest trials, several of the Leases will immediately become forfeited; and except better prices are given for the old pickings, one third of the Ore will remain in the Mines. In this important Concern I will give the Court my best advice, and they are at liberty to make what use of it they please. 

      Almost all the Middlecleugh Leases are unprotected, also Hangingshaw, one at Broomsberry, and some in Garrigill. Mannergill & Brokergill in Teesdale etc are also unprotected. Now by employing about 12 Men more on these different parts, I could probably preserve them all, and be making necessary trials, and may be, some successful ones, but without this some of them must be relinquished, which would be a difficult matter, seeing the Leases throughout are so connected one with another. I write also to advise to make the highest for the old pickings 40/- per Bing & £10.10 per Ton, and at the same time lett all the best workings in every Mine as low as possible, which indeed I have done. By pursuing this mode, some of the poorest of the Mines, now unoccupied, on account of their poverty, would again work, get Ore to advantage, and at the same time preserve the Leases without Dead Work in some parts. I have thus given the Court the best advice I was capable of, and the Mode I would pursue if the Mines were my own. 

      Rampgill Mine is doing well. The Cross Vein recently cut in the Horse Level is successful, and has raised a considerable quantity of Ore this year. Scaleburnmoss is very poor, and if no better prices are given will shortly have to be quitted. At Rampgill Jasper Hunter & co, & Chas Armstrong & co are each driving a Horse Level in different parts of the Mine, and at Scaleburnmoss Thos Humble & co are driving the Horse Level. Smallcleugh Flatts are going on prosperously, and produce the most productive pure Ore I ever saw. It is nearly all lead. John Parker & co are driving the Horse Level in the flatts, in the most convenient situation that can be imagined, the workings being on each side of the Level like a street with the houses on either hand. Wm Cousin & co are cutting a Cross from the old Level to the Flatts for a circulation of fresh air. Geo Robinson & co are driving the deep Engine Level, which will one day or other unwater all the Middlecleugh Veins under the great Limestone, and make them new and raise thousands of Bings of Ore, and until this is accomplished Middlecleugh will do no more good. Wm Hall & co are driving the Horse Level at Middlecelugh. At Caplecleugh Robt Dickinson & co are driving the Horse Level, but those parts of the Mine which contain Ore cannot be wrought on acco[un]t of the low prices and the poverty of the Mine. Garrigill Mines are poor, and Tynebottom also. Jas Dickinson & co at Browngill Sun Vein are driving the Horse Level, and at Tynebottom Richd Lowthain & co are sinking a Sump, and Joseph Wanless & co are driving the Horse Level. At Browngill & Thortergill Geo Dodd & co are driving the Horse Level. 

      Middlehope Mine is still doing well, yet not so successful as the last Quarter, but will still raise a great quantity of Ore, of a very good quality, and to much advantage. Wm Hall & co are sinking a shaft from the surface, in the West Forehead of the new vein for the accommodation of fresh air through the whole, and preparing the Vein for raising Ore in the upper Stratums. Josh Dalkin & co are driving the Horse Level in the vein Westward, in the successfull string, obtained in the settlement with Col Beaumont. John Kidd & co are driving the deep Level at Ireshopeburn.

      Stanhopeburn Mine is extremely poor, and but for the benefit of the Crushing Mill could not raise any Ore at the prices given, as it could be washed in the common way. Jno Muse & co are driving the deep Level which is excessive hard and goes slowly. John Vipond & co are driving the Horse Level in the Flatts.

      Lodgesyke Mine continues prosperous, and produces a great quantity of fine Ore. Jas Richardson & co are driving the deep Horse Level, and when it arrives at a certain point in the Vein I intend to sink a Sump between the Levels which will lay the Vein open for trial in all the Sills and produce fresh air.

      Wiregill & Flakebrigg Mines are both under trial, and it will be some time before we can look for profit. Broomsberry Mine is poor, and can scarcely be wrought at the price now given. Thos Indian & co are driving the Horse Level, which lays the Vein open for trial in the Limestone & Coal Sills. Richd Pears & co are driving in the Vein at Boltshaw to no purpose, having no prospect. I have been waiting in expectation for several quarters past, that the Court would order me to put an end to this business, and the expense which occurs yearly at this worthless place, might be applied in making a trial in the Mining Ground recently granted to the Court by Lord Darlington. 

      I only rec[eive]d the Courts of the 22nd Inst and will endeavour to see the parties mentioned, who I believe will be well satisfied.

      I am etc,

      Thomas Dodd, Senr