Report – William Crawhall to Martin Morrison – 31 Dec 1815

      The Mines at Allenheads  are poorer in general than they were last quarter, the forehead in the Cross Vein at East End has been driven last qu. 51/2 fa. without providing any Ore, & it is now driving @ £8 p fa. - since the Bargains were let the Men have driven 1 fa. more &  the forehead now carries Ore and is more flattering but not of that consequence to be wrought at any price we can afford to give pBg. -  The Workings in Wentworth Vein are worse than last quarter many of the lengths being nearly wrought out - the Vein is now wrought by 8 Men @ 34/ pBg. - the Workings in the <Old> Vein & at Flatt Shaft are much the same as last quarter wrought by 21 Men @ 38/ pBg <> Men @ 37/ pBg & 6 Men @ 36/ pBg.

      Diana Vein is wrought by 6 Men @ 36/ pBg & 26 @ 38/pBg.  there has been nothing done at the West forehead last Quarter & in the Cross Cutt driving for Diana Vein at the East End we have cutt a strong String (a small Vein) which is now working by 6 Men @38/ pBg which has caused us to leave of the Cross Cutt for the present, under the Men working for Ore get driven out in the Vein.

      I am very sorry I am under the necessity of making such an unfortunate report of Swinhope Mines this quarter.  The West forehead in the Vein in Great Limestone is driving @ £5 pfa. without producing any Ore of consequence & the East forehead such like, the other part of the Vein are wrought by 8 Men @24/ pBg 8 Men @ 34/  26 Men @32/ & 6 Men @ 35/ pBg.

       The Low Level is now driving @ £10 pfa. & wants about 14 fa of being being holed to the foremost shaft when done will try the Vein & if productive of Ore will explore the Vein as the Level goes up.

      In consequence of your instructions relating the necessity of reducing the expenditure on acct. of the depressed state of the Lead Trade, Mr.E[merso]n, G.C. & myself had a consultn. previous  to the Bargains & consider it impracticable to reduce the price pBg in the present Workings lower than they were last quarter - I am apprehensive you will think our prices very high, but I am confident the greatest part of those at the high price, their wages will not be adequate to those employed today. - It was also agreed by the principal Agents to reduce the Wages of all the Mechanics, Labourers & others by the day & by Contract work in proportion to their respective situations so as to average near 12/ pWeek - we have reduced our Woodmen from 14/. to 12/. pWeek & the others in proportion.

      I am Sr  Wm. Crawhall