Letter – Henry Richmond to Isaac Hunter – 30 Jun 1767

To Mr Isaac Hunter at Dukesfield                                                         Newca[stle] 30th June 1767

Sir

The produce of the Ores smelted at Dukesfield and Rookhope Lead Mills, especially the latter, has been so very bad the last Year that it requires examination & therefore I desire you will enquire & let me know the Reason why it has taken 4.45/100 Bings at Dukesfield and 4.91/100 Bings at Rookhope Mill to make a fother of 21 hundred weight. The Ore must either come very badly washed from the groves, or must be mismanaged at the Mills, to make the produce so much worse last Year than usual. As to Allanheads Mill, the produce there seems to be much better than usual & to be about 4 Bings to a fother of 21 cwts, if I understand Mr Crawhalls Acco[un]ts; but he never mentions the quantity of Ore smelted in the 12 months and how much Lead is made from it at the several hearths; but stuffs his Acco[un]ts with nice and useless particulars of Ore tails, Hearth ends, etc – pray give him instructions how to make out a general Acco[un]t as Mr Salkeld does. I should be glad to know how the Lead comes away from Rookhope Mill: for I hear very little of it at Blaydon as yet. P.S. pray has Mr Marriott done the plan of the Lead way for me as I desired.  I am etc      HR