Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 14 May 1769

                                                       				Farnacres 14th May 1769

Mr Mulcaster

      As I think the Matter respecting the Ground you are to have shd be settled between you and Mr Brown as soon as possible. I now take the opportunity of Writing to you in answer to yours of the 10th instant.

             	I am of Opinion you must be the Hospital's Tenant for your Close from the 12th Instant at the Rate of 6s 6d P Acre and you will from me tell Mr Thomas Brown that as the Ground cannot be inclosed this year Mr Smeaton and I expect he will oblige us so farr as to take this Ground of you and pay you 6/6d PAcre for it from the 12th inst, to the 12th May 1770 and Let you as much Grassing as you have occasion for upon such Terms as are reasonable. This Affair cannot as I see be settled in any other way without entire confusion. As to the Mill Pasture the Fence must be got compleated at the Hospitals Expence as soon as possible and I think this Fence on the East of the Mill shd stand wholly on the East side of the Hollow that the Water runs down from the Waste of the Dam. With regard to the Fence in the North side of the Mill Pasture, get it done on such Ground as you shall be of Opinion is best after considering the thing; I own myself I look upon it the Fence should stand on the Firm Ground on the North side of the Mill Pasture Boundary.

      I wish much we could make some kind of Estimate what Produce we have made from the first Outset to the time of finishing the Smelting the Ore got in last Year & therefore desire you will make as near an Estimate of the Value of Peats Coals and other things which are liable to immediate consumption that shall be then in hand as you can; at the same time I desire youll make out an Account of the Particulars of the Expences of Smelting and other Charges at the Mill from the last Pay til the Time of finishing the above Ore in the same manner as if we were going to make a Pay and also an Operation and Stock Paper from which and the other Operation Papers we shall be enabled to make out a General Operation Paper shewing the Produce from the beginning til the time of finishing as abovementioned. If you find it necessary to have assistance in doing the above work employ anybody you think proper at the Hospitals Expence.

      Pray will Hop Bags be of use to you if you think so let me know immediately and you shall be supplied without loss of time.

      You are at all events to finish the Ore got in last year before you begin upon the New and youll remember there was 11 Bings more got from Carrs than ought to have been which I should be glad might lie in a Bingstead by itself and be reckoned as part of this year's Quantity in the Accts. of Smelting.

      Carrs Ore and the Ore from Wilkinson's Mines should be kept Separate. I am. Your Hble Servt

             	Nich Walton Junr.



PS. The last Cake of Silver answers very to the Assay, it comes within 10 Ounces and that Over.

         The Front of the new Bingstead Walls should be laid with Moss as I observe the Lime perishes and falls down among the Lead Ore.

          Great care ought to be taken of the Peat Mosses and it is expected that you have a particular regard thereto, tho' by that means we may get worse Peats; and I entirely approve of what you propose concerning this Matter.

           It appears very satisfactory that there is no Advantage in Washing the Unrefineable Ore and as to Henry Smith when we have no Washing he cannot Expect to be Employed.

          I wish you could Pick up a good Slag Hearth Man that is disengaged or could have liberty but that as well as the Engaging of any other Workmen which you see necessary is left to your own discretion and care.

         Don't let the Carriage of Materials for Buildings etc interfere wth the Carriage of Lead.