Letter – Isaac Hunter to Henry Richmond – 30 May 1774

       Dukesfd. 30th. May 1774

Mr. H Richmond N Castle



Sr.

       I have taken f’m the Accots. the Charge of the Peats at Rookhope Mill f’m the Year 1760 to the p[as]t year and the quantity of Ld. made at the Ore Hearth in the sd. time, and find that the Peats has cost upon an average 18 ½ d p[er] Ton of Lead. I suppose there’s several Days charged for Wet Peats &c wch. I have not in the Accot for I took nothing but what was expressly so mentioned in the Accots.   The Quantity of Ld. made at the Ore Hearth between the 31st Decr. 1760 & 31st. Decr. 1773  12.573 Tons .3 p[iece]s the expense of the Peats £975..5s..8 3/4d when Mr. Walton entered in 1770 there was few or no peats at the Mill the Lead made since then to the 31st Decr. last past at the Ore Hearth 4643.10 the Charge of the peats  368.8.2 ¼ the Peats at the Mill I believe will bring them (in Mr Walton’s time) a little below the above calculation p[er] Ton & I have agreed (if you approve of it) wth. a set of People to supply the Mill wth. Peats for 3 yrs. at 16d p[er] Ton of Ld. made at the Ore Hth. they to be at all the Expences of the Wet Peats & getting them into the Mill for the Smelters.   We have smelted 53 ¾ B[ing]s of Ore f’m Allanhds. new Vain call’d Knoplaw wch. yielded at the Ore Hth 192 ps wch. is 4 1/4  11/12 B to the Ton 16 ps =22cwt

       I made an Assay of the Ld. for Silver it was not so fair as one as I could Wish or should have sent it, but shall make the Refiner make you one I think it will not Answr. To Refine.   I am afraid we shall fall a deal short of last Yrs. Quantity of Ld. for Market this Yr. for the Ore comes but slowly – shall be in Town on the 6th. June to order the things wanted for the Mills when you’ll please to let me have Some Subsistence Money – the inclosed Accots. I should have given you when last in Town – pray pardon the neglect & am

       Yrs. &c IH Jr