Report – Thomas Dodd – 20 Jan 1816

The Honble the Governor & Company 				Nenthead January 20th 1816



Sirs

      I have now lett the Christmas Bargains and annexed the List thereof, and should the Court consider to allow me to lett any more Bargains, as represented in My last, to the distressed Workmen, I will send a Supplement next Week.   The Court will please to observe that I have reduced the highest price to 38/- and Ireshopeburn, which the late Deputation ordered to be lett at 48/ in consequence of having no Dead Work upon it, I have now Reduced to 45/ and Stanhopeburn to 40/ and the leading Workings as low as possible, and in fact have used every exertion in every branch of My department, to meet the pressure of the present day.



Rampgill Mine is much the same as last Report.   Wm Bright &c are sinking into the Horse Level in the great Limestone in the Vein to cause a fresh circulation of Air, and to search for Ore.   Jos: Wallace &c are driving the Horse Level, and also Rising into the Limestone in the Vein, and will soon Raise Ore.  Robt. Irwin &c are driving a different Horse Level in a North & South Vein which we suppose to be Small Cleugh Vein about a Mile to the North of Small Cleugh, and will by & by try to discover the flatts there.   Matt Thompson &c are sinking a Sump into the Level for Air, and to try the Little Limestone & Coal Sills for Ore.



Small Cleugh is improved since last Quarter, and the prices in general more favorable.  The Flatt which some time ago was taken off its usual direction upwards of 20 Yards is found again and looks like doing well, and the Ore in its usual quality very good.   Featherstone Varty &c are driving the Horse Level.   Robt Millican &c are sinking a Sump in the Vein for a supply of fresh Air, and to try for Ore as they go down in the Little Limestone, Coal Sills, & Great Limestone.  Josh. Spark &c are driving from the bottom of the Engine, and in the course of the present Quarter will cut the first MiddleCleugh Vein, where I make myself sure we shall meet with Ore.  This Level has been a long expensive Job, but will shortly sufficiently refund the Company. 



Middle Cleugh is still poor, and employs few hands, but will get reward by the completion of the above trial of Small Cleugh E[n]gine  Level.   George Robinson &c are driving the Horse Level.



Scaleburnmoss is poor and on account of the Reduced prices, employs few hands.   John Richardson &c are driving the Horse Level.



Middle Cleugh Cross Vein employs 30 Men in the Raising of Ore at different prices, and 12 in Dead Work. This Mine is likely for doing well when effectually opened, but till then, will labour under some difficulties.   Henry Cowing &c are driving in the Vein, and will soon meet with better success.   Robert Dickinson &c are cutting across to a String about 5 fa.[thoms] distant from the Vein, in a parallel situation with it, and we expect success from it.   John Milburn &c are driving the Horse Level & Wm Irwin are opening Prepairing the old Level, and will soon be done and sink into the Vein.



We are making a further trial at Loveladyshield Thomas Cain &c are driving a Level from the Surface to cut a Vein, and afterwards try it in an upper Sill.



At Tynebottom Adam Walton &c are driving the Horse Level The Mine is poor.   Thomas Archer &c are driving a Level at



Browngill Sun Vein and having filled up the stipulated number at the highest prices in the Pickings at other places, of course I have lett no Bargains for Ore in Garrigill, until I am furnished with the Courts sentiments respecting the employing a greater Number in the Pickings, as nothing there can possibly be wrought under the highest price.  Thomas Cain Junr. &c are driving a Level in Browngill Vein, to Relieve, and try the Vein in the Great Limestone



At Middlehope, Stanhopeburn, & Ireshopeburn, Mines the Bargains are lett agreeable to Stipulation respecting the number, but the prices for Pickings at all these Mines are Reduced, and in general are doing well.  Henry Coulthard &c at Middlehope, are driving the Horse Level Eastward.   Featherstone Wilson &c are driving an upper Level and will sink into the lower Workings to accomodate the other parts of the Mine with fresh Air Richard Hutchinson &c are driving in a dead part of the Vein, but will shortly raise Ore.  John Armstrong &c are rising into the upper Stratums to try the Vein for Ore & Nathan Race &c are rising into the Great Limestone in the Vein.



At Stanhopeburn Mine the Flatts are in some degree improved and upon which we have little or no expence for Timber, and the Ore is of the better quality.   Josh Collingwood &c are driving the Horse Level.

	I am much obliged to the Court for their Sympathizing Letter of the 11th Inst.

      I am Sirs &c &c

      Thomas Dodd Senr.