Papers relating to the lead mines on Alston Moor, Cumberland, belonging to the Radclyffe family, earls of Derwentwater, and subsequently to Greenwich Hospital, comprising: (i) Letter signed and subscribed by the engineer John Smeaton ("J. Smeaton"), to John Ibbetson, Secretary to the Royal Hospital, tendering his resignation as Receiver of the Smelt Mill at Langley on Tyne, which he has been running in partnership with Nicholas Walton, as he wishes to devote his time henceforth to his career as civil engineer ("...When I was introduced into this Office, I doubt not the Directors will remember it was a Matter understood that I should not be obliged to give up My Profession as a Civil Engineer; or to reside in the Country where the Estate lies... since I first undertook this Office, the Duty thereof has increased in so very considerable a degree... it has therefore become absolutely necessary; either for me to quit my Profession wholly, and at the same time make my Residence near my Partner Mr Walton; or to quit my employment under Greenwich Hospital..."); and protesting that he takes this step only with the greatest reluctance ("...When I further consider the utter Impossibility of totally divesting Myself of a Profession; in which from original strong Inclination, many years Experience, and successful Practice, I have formed many Connections that I cannot properly get clear of, I have no Alternative..."), 3 pages, a few light old stains, second leaf laid onto an album leaf, folio, Austhorpe, 16 March 1777

(ii) Autograph letter signed by Smeaton ("J. Smeaton"), to "Dear Sir", thanking him and the Board of Greenwich Hospital for returning the bonds issued by himself and his partner, Nicholas Walton, upon their appointment to the receivership, so that they might be cancelled, 1 page, glue-stains at corners, laid onto an album leaf, folio, Gray's Inn, 30 April 1782

(iii) Autograph letter signed by the road-builder John Loudon McAdam ("Jno Loudon McAdam"), to "My dear Sir", urging that roads be constructed for the Greenwich Hospital estates ("...I need not explain to you the advantage of the roads to the estates of Greenwich Hospital, their great landed estate would justify a considerable sacrifice of money in order to obtain means of communication for their Tenants... under the circumstances of the mining property, its distance from Coal[,] the nature of that part of the country where mines are situated, requiring provision of every kind even to Potatoes and all other supplies to be carried a great distance, and the final distance of Markets for the Lead, roads become an indispensable necessary, and money laid out in this improvement is an ultimate saving even if the money were given not lent, but in this case I see a very satisfactory security in the Tolls..."), 2 pages, on narrow-banded mourning paper [for his first wife], integral blank, the latter laid down, some dust and seal-staining, 4to, Carlisle, 2 August 1825

(iv) Other material, including a letter by the Duke of Northumberland to the fourth Earl of Sandwich, First Lord, 23 April 1776; a memorandum on the flooding caused to the Duke's Newburn colliery by the removal of engines from Greenwich's Throckley coal mine (evidently enclosed with the letter by the Duke to Sandwich); a tax receipt issued by Benomy Carr of Hexham to Dame Elizabeth Radcliffe, 1667; a bill of exchange signed by the Earl of Derwentwater, 1690; a contemporary copy of a letter by the playwright and horseman William Cavendish, first Duke of Newcastle, written as Charles I's general in the North in the first year of the civil war, to Sir Edward Radcliffe, Bart., desiring that Radcliffe lends the King £2000, which is to be paid to "Captaine Davenant Leiuetenant Generall of the Artillery whose acquittance shall testifye your loane of that summe and your fidelity and good affection to his Majesty wherein I hope you will not faile", Pontefract, 19 December 1642; and a letter signed by Sir Edward Radclyffe, 1635; and other material, some wear, mounted on album leaves