Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 10 Sep 1775

Mr Mulcaster.                                			Farnacres 10 September 1775



      We have ordered Willy Laybourne to get Deals for the Mill and 1000 Fire Bricks with Clay for Setting 2000 as the South Country Bricks should be set in the same manner as the Newcastle Bricks and we expect you will receive all by Fridays Carrier.

      The Wood for Pick Coal Rake & Shovel Shafts cannot be cut til October and therefore if you should want in the mean time and cannot get it from some Wood which lies in Dilston Barn you must buy where you can get best and cheapest supplied.  We have mentioned to Willy Laybourne the Wood at Dilston Hall but as there is little of it we doubt you cannot be supplied from thence.

      With regard to the Smelters you will act agreable to what we said when at the Mill.  Robt Coulson James Henderson and James Robinson seem very proper Men; and any other who you think will suit, we have no objection to your engaging.

      The Cottage late Thomas Elliots is to remain unoccupied til some Person approved of offers to take it and in such case it may either be Let with or without half of Thomas Elliots Farm as shall be found most convenient and proper

      The Cart Felly Wood must be Hewn & Sawn and put into the House; the breadth of the Fellies when dressed fit for use, shd be Six Inches so it must be Hewn & Sawn accordingly, but not Sold for some time.

      You may alter the hanging of the West Door into the Refinery Front when ever you will.

      You will remember our having mentioned a Cut being made to bring the Water produced by Showers from the Cleugh which we cross in going to Threepwood near the Gate leading to the Limekiln at Langley and we now desire you will get it done immediately; the Water must be taken off directly below where you repaired the Road near the Quick Sand and carried into Mr Falls Pasture at the Gate where the Carriages enter the sd Pasture and in that part a Bridge or good Conduit should be made for the Carriages to cross the Cut which will effectualy prevent their breaking in the sides of the Cut; from thence the Cut must be carried cross the High Ground and Conduited so as to deliver its Water into the Hollow into which the Quarry Water would naturally run if not carried from thence to the Lead Mill Dam; and at or near the Quarry to be taken out of the hollow and carried along with the Quarry Water to the Mill.  The cut we know will be required to be made 5 or 6 feet deep near the Gate, and be sure to make it deep enough so as to answer the end.   Perhaps you will find it more easy to take off the Water above the Quicksand, but in this way it will be necessary to make a Conduit where it will cross the Threepwood Road & another just before the Pasture Gate.                

      We are etc. NW Jr  J S