Report – Thomas Dodd to Court of the London Lead Company – 14 Jan 1815

The Honble The Govr & Compy. 					Nenthead January 14th 1815



Sirs

      I have viewed the several Mines under my direction and on the 29th & 30th past lett the Bargains a [list] of which is annexed



Rampgill Mine gets poorer, for as the leading Forehead in the late good Vein does not revive the rear or hindermost parts of the Mine become pickings and of course require higher prices. Thos Hewitson &c are driving the Horse Level in the above Vein.   Wm Irwin &c are driving the Horse Level in the Sun Vein, and will lay open a great deal of the unexplored part of the Vein, both in the Great Limestone and all the other Stratums from the Surface, where considerable quantities of Ore will be raised after the necessary Dead Work is finished.  Emanuel Nattrass &c are rising into the Great Limestone in a recently discovered Cross Vein.   Robt Houses &c are sinking from the surface to meet the said Rise, to try the success of the Vein, and produce fresh Air in the Mine.  Matt Robson &c are driving a Horse Level in a different Vein where there is a probability of meeting with Small Cleugh Flatts, as they extend to the Northward



Scaleburnmoss There is little alteration in since last Report.  Thos Humble &c are driving the Horse Level under the Great Limestone, answering the purpose of a drain to the Mine.



Small Cleugh Flatts continue successful, and will work to considerable advantage, and the Ore is still of the very best quality.  Jacob Peart &c are cutting a Cross to try, what we call, the High Flatt situated about 3 Fathoms above the successful One in the Limestone.   Abraham Graham &c are driving the Horse Level in the Flatt which prepares the same for raising the Ore.   Jacob Blaylock &c are sinking a Sump into the Flatt for an upper Level and will soon Raise Ore.   Thos. Stephenson &c are sinking another Sump and will also soon raise Ore   Josh. Spark &c are driving the deep Level from the Engine foot to drain all Middle Cleugh Veins



Middlehope Mine continues to do well and raise a good deal of Ore Edward Byers &c are driving the Horse Level.   Jno Dawson &c are driving the Horse Level to the Westward.   Wm Brown &c are Repairing an Old Level which is in a State of decay  John Armstrong &c are driving an upper Level to furnish fresh Air, & try the Vein in the upper Stratums



Stanhope Mine is poor, and little altered since My last Report Josh Collingwood &c are driving the Horse Level in the Flatts where the Ore is Raised



Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss is poor and not much altered since last Report.   Wm Armstrong &c are sinking a Sump into the Great Limestone to try the Vein



Hangingshaw is very poor, & cannot go on at the prices now given Jno Hall &c are driving the Horse Level to save the Lease from forfeiture



MiddleCleugh Cross Vein is now Raising Ore very well at 30/s p[er] Bing by one partnership (as p[er] List) in the south end of the Vein and more hands will shortly be employed in getting Ore Richd Thomason &c are driving the Horse Level Northward to make way for Raising Ore.   The South end of the said Cross Vein will labor long under trial, as these trials cover the Leases of several fair running Veins and cannot be avoided but is a most excellent trial, tho the object is at a considerable distance.   Geo Oliver &c are driving the Horse Level Southward & Wm Teasdale &c are repairing an Old Level.   George Robinson &c are driving 



Middlecleugh Horse Level, which preserves two or three Leases, and will try the Veins as they go on



Blackashgill is under trial, & the appearance not good.  John Elliott &c are driving an upper Horse Level & John Vipond &c another one in the Great Limestone to prepare the Vein for trial



Garrigill Mines are poor



At Browngill Sun Vein John Archer &c are driving an upper Horse Level to try several Veins in the upper Stratums



At Browngill Jos Hall &c are driving the Horse Level in the Great Limestone which prepares the Vein for trial and for Raising Ore.  James Dickinson &c are driving one of the Levels at



Tynebottom and will soon Raise Ore   Isaac Teasdale &c are driving a Level in a different Vein where Ore is now got, & Jos Wanless &c are driving the Deep House Level which tries the Flatts for Ore.  I have now to assure the Court that I have lett every thing in the different Mines on the most frugal terms, & have spared no pains nor Study to Render the whole successful.



      My Son Simon begs me to say that he humbly requests the Court will accept of his most cordial thanks for the increase of his Salary, and to assure them that he will use every exertion in his power to make himself useful in their Mineral concerns

	I am &c &c Thomas Dodd Sen