Incomplete report on his difficulties and expenses while investigating the mine

<266r>

My Lords.

May it please Your Lordships.

That it was the 4th of August when my Lord Tonshend ordered me to keep myself every day ready to go to Scotland to inspect Sir John Areskin's Silver Mines, which I did accordingly, and less of my practice of Physick and other Affairs.

It was then allowed me 60 pounds for my journey charges and for buying such things and Materials as I should be in want of for trying and examining the Mine and Ore, as far as I could then judge. But I got not the money out of the Exchequer till the 31th of August and my Instruction not till the 5th. of September, and then I could not get a Ship for Scotland to carry over my things and myself till the 10th. of September, when I sailed with these things I had bought, from St Catharines, and was 3 Weeks and two days in a dangerous Voyage, and in two Rooms we last two Masts and were price driven upon the Sand Bancks. <266v> when the Ship was repairing all the Passengers went on Shore, which was very chargeable to me,

The things I bought here for the purpose of the Mines came to 45 pounds 7 shillings, and the 60pounds I received here were spent before. I came to Edinburgh, and by that means had not the Allownace what my Workmen or Assistants had, whom was allowed 30 pounds each for their hourney without any other charges at all.

The 13th of October I came to Edinburgh and had a Conference with the Right Hoonurable the Earl of Lauderdale as also with Mr. Haldone of Gleneagles and with Mr. Drummond as Commissioners with him. I found in this Conference, that no Provision was made, neither for myself, nor the two Hamiltons, nor for any incident charges.

My Lord Lauderdale and the other Commissioners as well as myself had that time advice from London that Sir John Areskin had obtained his Remission upon the fundament, that he should shew me his <267r> Mine himself, and it was then agreed amongst us, not to go the Mine before his arrival which was shortly after, and he was then every Minute ready to shew me his mine, but for want of Money neither myself nor the Hamiltons could then go, I wrote to London about it it, but got no answer. This delay was a great mortification to me, therefore. I look'd about to get Money, and was so happy as to borrow 66 pounds sterling with which I went presently with the other Commissioners to the Mines, where Sir John Areskin shewed us his Mine, and James Hamilton (as the Informer thereof) confirmed it was the same Mine he brought the Oar of to London and made an Affidavit of it.

But we found this Mine block'd up with Stones, Rubbish and other things, so that not the least Corner was to be found, which was not filled up therewith. I did set as many Workmen to work as possibly I could without hindering one another, and this clearing of the Mine did cost with the Tools and other Materials for that businesse 28 pounds 5 shillings 7$\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$d sterling as by the particulars I can make appear if desired, and for the several <267v> Messengers I send to the other Commissioners, and for erecting the furnaces, for Charcoals + Pitcoals and other incidents chages came to 27pounds 9 shillings 3pence.

I paid to both the Hamiltons 44pounds 13shillings 6pence.

I went to Edinburgh with my Report to have the same confirmed by the other Commissioners the charges of the several Copies that were send to London and some remaining in the hands of the Commissioners as also for the small Boxes and Leather Baggs amounts to 8pounds 18shillings 0pence.

I was willing to deliver all this to the Government myself, that if any doubt should arise, that I might clear the same presently, and then by your Lordship's order Sir Isaac Newton send me 50pounds to defray my charges to come hether, and pay some of it to one of the Hamiltons whom by order I was to leave there, to have an insight in the Mine till further orders.

Thomas Hamilton I took along with me, but was hindered to deliver my businesse to Your Lordships till the 29th. of Aprill, which are 181 days, which makes so many pounds due to me, besides 17pounds 01shillings 8pence. I paid to the Treasury and Exchequer, so that the whole amounts