Letter – Arthur Mowbray to Shute Barrington – 14 Jan 1798

      Sherburn 14th January 1798

My Lord,

      I have just received a letter from Mr. Buddle, the following is a Copy of what relates to Bedlington.



‘In Regard to a Boring at Bedlington I made application to Mr Rawling for his Conditions on a datum of 70 fathoms, which I have enclosed, but you must know that these Estimates are exclusive of a number of incidental (and often very weighty) Charges; such as Swelling Clays, Quick sands, Foul holes, Whin Stone, Lime Stone, &tc &tc Tagle Legs, deals, &tc &tc, some one or more of which are generally to be encountered with on every Boring to the depth of 80 Fathoms, may be executed for about 200 Guineas, and which depth compared with what is already known <of> the Strata may fully satisfy an Undertaker, thus you see that Colliery Experiments are not made for Trifles ’

Mr. Rawling’s Conditions



Rates of Boring              £. s. d.       £  s  d

To 5	Fathoms at 5/- p fath	  1  5  -	

   5	  do.     10/-          2 10  -   	

10   Fathoms cost                           3 15  -

   5  do.   at 15s           3 15  -

   5  do.   at £1            5  -  -        8 15  -

20   Fathoms cost                          12 10  - 

   5  do.      £1. 5         6  5  -

   5  do.       1.10         7 10  -       13 15  - 

30   Fathoms cost                          26  5  -

   5  Do.   at £1.15         8 15  -

   5  do.   at £2.          10  -  -       18 15  -

40   Fathoms cost                          45  -  -

   5  Do.   at £2. 5        11  5  -	

   5  Do.      £2.10        12 10  -       23 15  - 

50   Fathoms cost                          68 15  -

   5  do.   at £2.15        13 15  -

   5  do.       3.          15  -  -       28 15  - 

60   Fathoms cost                          97 10  - 

   5  Do.   at £3.10        17 10  -

   5  do.       3.15        18 15  -       36  5  - 

70   Fathoms cost                        £133 15  -



 

Copy of another part of Mr Buddle’s Letter as to the Agricultural Survey.

      ‘Thos. Bewick seems unwilling to give us an Estimate, he thinks it will be so vague, however he has promised to do it for 20 <W Pro> Engravings for an Octavo Page.

      If no handsome Support is given by the Agricultural Society to our Design, I have no Idea for my own part, whether to adopt their general Title Pages, or be trammel’d by their Rules, the servile compliance with which, has rendered some of the Published Reports extremely dry, tedious, and even disgustful.’



      The Weardale Business is revived. I saw one of the Proprietors at the Quarter Sessions at Durham last Wednesday, and he in the name of the Committee desired a Meeting: He fixes next Thursday at Wolsingham, your Lordship shall be immediately informed of the Result.

      Mr. Bramwells Bill, that I noted in my last Letter, to be about £43, is £51. 19. 8.

      I am My Lord, Your Lordships very much obld. & most  obdt. hble. Servt.

      Arthur Mowbray



The Honble. & Right Revd. The Lord Bishop of Durham