Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Ibbetson – 4 Mar 1775

To Mr John Ibbetson Esq.              		Langley Lead Mill 4th March 1775



Sir

       Yesterday your Letter of the 25th Ult inclosing a form of an Advertisement, for discovery of the Offender or Offenders at this Mill, was received and conformable to the Boards order, the Advertisement immediately incerted in the Newcastle Papers.    Six Hundred Hand Bills have been printed off, alike with the Advertisement, and as I am now at the Mill, I am putting them into proper hands, for having the whole distributed, in the Country around the Mill, and for that purpose to morrow, being Sunday, Persons are to attend at all the Churches and Chapels in the Neighbourhood, to disperse them amongst the several Congregations, after divine Service; and on the Markett Days at Hexham, Allendale and Alston, on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, the whole of the remainder will be distributed.   I sincerely hope that so large a reward as Fifty Pounds will make a discovery, and I beg you will assure the Directors that no steps shall be wanting on our parts.  The repair of one of the Bellows is finished and the Workmen are going on very well with the others and setting everything to rights, and I expect the Mill will get to work again by Wednesday or Thursday Sennt.    Ever since this malicious Affair happened, we have thought it prudent to keep watch at Nights, which it is found will be an expensive thing as we are under a necessity of employing two Persons at 12d a piece, and therefore it is much wished for having directions for Building two Cottages as recommended in my last letter to you.

       If any particulars should transpire respecting this Affair, you shall certainly have the most early information and I am for Mr Smeaton & Self

       Sir Your most obed Servt

       N W Junr