Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Holmes – 8 Oct 1776

To Mr John Holmes						Farnacres 8th Oct 1776



Dear Sir

      As I knew nothing of Messrs Wilson and Harrison mentioned in your Letter of the 28th Augst. I have caused some enquiry to be made respecting them, and the following is the result of what has come to my hands.   Vizt That Willson is reckoned an industrious sober Honest Man and tho’ in a less way than Harrison is deserving and that Harrison who is a pushing Man is supposed to do a good deal of business and esteemed to pay his Credit well, at least nothing has yet appeared to the contrary.   The latter has dealt with Webb and Lamb Watch Makers St John’s Gate Clerkenwell whom he formerly lived with.

	Since writing the above I have read over your Letter of the 5th inst and find there certainly must be a mistake in your weighing the last Bullion as it is no less than 20 Ounces short of the weight I made it come to which agreed exactly with the Refinery Agents weighing, I shall not therefore draw for it ‘til I hear again from you.   The weight according to my Scales was 581 almost 2 ½ Pwt to better.

	What you have been so obliging as mention with respect to assays – has quite satisfied me that we must have nothing to do with them in our dealing & you may depend upon it we shall always to the utmost of our power take care to have the Silver made as fine as possible.

	I have not heard from Brother Smeaton for a long time but I hope nothing except busyness prevents his writing, I have indeed myself been so extremely hurried that I have not been with my Family more than a Month in the whole since I had the pleasure of seeing you and in particular since the 21st Septemr so much that I had not an opportunity of Writing to my Brother from that day ‘til yesterday & then a very short Epistle.

My Wife joins me in best respects to you and yours & I am    your’s &c

      NW Junr.