Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Holmes – 2 Jan 1774

To Mr Holmes.                                 			Farnacres 2nd January 1774.    



Dear Sir

       Your Letter of the 14th Ult was duely received at Austhorpe as was also that of the 25th Ult at this place and in Friday Evening we reced a very fine Quarter of Lamb for which I am much obliged to you and return many thanks.  It proved excellent Eating and our friends were not forgot on the occasion.

       When I was at Austhorpe my Brother and I thought we had not time sufficient to take your Letter of the 14th Ult under consideration and give you an answer during my stay there afterwards which would be very short and we therefore determined to let it alone til we were together at this place; and, as I expect, it will be about the latter end of the present Month before that happens.  You will be kind enough to excuse our writing to you til Mr Smeaton comes here for the above reasons.  We shall defer drawing upon you for the Cake you last received til that time.

       We all join in wishing you Mrs Holmes and Family many happy years and I am Dear Sir 

       Your obliged hble Servt

               	N W Junr 



PS. I  find upon enquiry at Newcastle that the prices of Bullion there have been Aug 5s 91/2d & 5s /9d Sep & Oct 5s /9d & 5s /8d. November & beginning of December 5s /8d and they now talk of 5s /7 12 the Money to be paid one Month after delivery.  I expect there is a Cake of Bullion now at Newcastle about 700 Ounces but am not quite certain it is arrived.  I intend however going there to morrow or the next day and if I find it is come shall try it at that Markett which will sometimes be higher than yours because the Silver Smiths cannot do without fine Silver and when scarce here it will sell best.