Report – Thomas Dodd – 16 Apr 1814

The Honable. The Govrs & Compy.				Nenthead April 16th. 1814

Sirs

	Having viewed the sundry Mines under My care, on the 30th & 31st of March I lett the Bargains, a list of which I have transmitted to the Court.   I have given 44 p[er] Bing for the poorest parts of the Old Pickings, by way of supporting some of the Leases, & raising Ore which could not otherwise be obtained, & trust it will meet with the Courts approbation, the proportion of the Ore raised will be very small compared with the quantity at the lowest prices

	In my Report of Ramgill [sic] Mine on the 15th January last I informed the Court that a Cross Vein had passed through the leading Forehead of the successful Vein which has injured the same considerably and am sorry to say the bad effects of this intruding Vein still continues.   It has broke the good Vein into loose unconnected lumps of Limestone and Rider of course rendered the whole far too strong, and cut out the Ore.   The Rear or backward Workings raise a considerable quantity of Ore, & especially at the lowest prices in the List.   Thos Hewitson &c as p[er] List are raising into the Limestone in the Vein in the Forehead in expectation of meeting with a more favorable part for Ore, as we cannot think of quitting until every effort is used to Recover the success of said Vein Hugh Spotswood &c are driving the Horse Level in the Sun Vein to prepare the same for raising Ore.  Mattw Hall &c are driving a Horse Level in a different Vein to preserve of the Leases from forfeiture, and will try the same for Ore.   John Ellott &c are driving an upper Level upon the little Limestone, which Stratum and the Coal Sills are unexplored in the successful Vein, and by sinking into the same occasionally from the Level I expect we shall raise a great deal of Ore



Scaleburnmoss Mine is poor, tho’ will raise Ore without loss.  Thos Humble &c are driving the Horse level.



SmallCleugh continues to do well in the Flatts, and the Ore retains its most excellent quality.  Jos. Spark &c are driving the deep Level, which is thereon <more> drain to the Mine and also intended to bring the Water off all the Middle Cleugh Veins.   Jacob Blaylock &c are driving a Level above the Flatts, which is to prove a constant source of Fresh Air by occasionally sinking from said Level into Flatts.  Geo; Robinson &c are sinking a Sump into the Limestone and in the Vein, in a fresh part in search of Ore.



Middle Cleugh Mine is extremely poor, & must remain so untill the deep Level comes up from Small Cleugh, to cut & unwater these Veins in fresh Ground, in a deeper situation, where a great deal of Ore will be raised.   We are therefore obliged to do something in the meantime to support the Leases of Middle Cleugh Veins until the Level comes up to the Veins, which will be four or five Years in accomplishing, but the trial is a good one and cannot fail of success.  Matt Chester &c are sinking a Sump from a high Level to furnish one of the Veins with Air & Wm Cowing &c are driving an upper Level where some Ore will be got.   They are both for the preservation of the Leases.   Hangingshaw Cross Vein is poor at present John Hall &c are Repairing the Level, which in certain parts is gone into decay.   This Lease contains several hopeful Trials, but till the Level is repaired and other necessary jobs done, cannot be carried into execution.



Middlehope Mine is become extensive as a great deal of both the Old & New Vein is laid open, & employs many hands, but several part are poor & become pickings, tho’ the leading Workings are still successful, on the whole will raise a considerable quantity of Ore to great advantage.   Jos Dalkin are driving the Horse Level Westward in the New Vein.   Peter Hutchinson &c are Rising in the Vein to accommodate the other Workings above with Fresh Air, will soon be done and raise Ore.   Thomas Hudson &c are sinking a Sump under the Horse Level where, in all probability, an Engine will have to be erected, to enable us to take out a large body of Ore left under the Level, where the Old & new Veins form a junction, and there is no other means left us of procuring it.   Henry Coulthard &c are driving an upper Level, & Wm Brown &c are sinking a sump from the upper to the Lower Level to accommodate the Mine with fresh Air and other conveniencies.



Lovelady Shield is under Trial & must Remain so for some time to come.  Wm Teasdale &c are driving the Level for the discovery of more Veins



Broomsberry & Gudhamgillmoss is poor and much altered since last Report.   Jno Richardson &c are cutting a Cross to the Vein, and will shortly try the same in the Great Limestone.



Ireshopeburn Mine is so poor that the Vein cannot be wrought under 50/s p[er] Bing, and as it is almost finished, there is no Dead Work upon the Mine, and I thought I had better pick out what Ore can be got while the Waygates are open



Garrigill & Tynebottom are all very poor & several parts under Trial.  Adam Walton &c are driving the Horse Level which goes direct into the Flatts, and will try the same for Ore.   Josh. Hall &c are driving a Horse Level to try the Vein in fresh Ground.  Jos Heatherington &c are sinking a Sump into four Fathom Limestone, and will prove the success of the Vein shortly.   <Jas> Dickinson &c are cutting a Cross to try the Flatts in unexplored Ground.  Thos Cain &c are driving the Horse Level to open the Vein for Trial



Middle Cleugh Cross Vein connected with Blackashgill labours under very heavy Expence at this time cannot be avoided, but in a short time we shall raise Ore in the Vein.  Robt Dickinson &c are sinking a Sump into the Great Limestone, and in two Months time will be in the Vein which cannot fail of producing Ore.   Jon Houses &c are driving a Horse Level from the North most boundary of said Vein, to Relieve the same of Water.  Geo: Hiver &c are driving an upper Level to form a communication with the above Level by sinking between



Blackashgill.  John Vipond &c are driving the Horse Level in the South End of MiddleCleugh Cross Vein, but in the Liberty of the Mineral Ground which the Court hold of Mr Dickinson, granted at the same time the Lease of Middle Cleugh Cross Vein was obtained of Greenwich Hospital.  The Vein is the same but in two different Manors, the one called Middle Cleugh Cross Vein and the other Blackashgill.  John Elliott &c are driving a Horse Level to try a Vein in an adjacent part of the Manor of Blackashgill



Stanhopeburn is so poor that no part will work under the highest price Jos Collingwood &c are driving the Horse Level in the Flatts as a general accommodation to the Mine where the Ore is raised



I have thus taken all possible pains to arrange every part of the Company’s Mineral Concerns under My Care in the best manner I am capable to render the whole successfull Does the Court mean, when they say J French is appointed their Wood Agent on the usual Terms, that his Salary is to be £100 a year together with Expences – please to Name it

      I am &c &c

      Thomas Dodd Senr