Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 15 Aug 1770

Mr Mulcaster. 								Farnacres 15th Aug 1770



      We propose being at the Mill on Wednesday Evening the 22nd instant and intend staying with you til Friday after dinner; during our stay we desire to see the Reducing Furnace twice Charged with Litharge, to the drawing of the Furnace, twice compleated the Refining we would have going on at the same time and the Litharge we would beg to have in the same state or condition as you usually have it when the Furnaces is Charged, that is, according to the common Course of your working, we must see the Stamp Mill at Work but that is not to interfere with the Reducing and Refining. If our coming on Wednesday afternoon so as to see the Stamp Mill at Work then will be attended with any convenience, you will let us know and we shall certainly be with you at such time as you appoint. You are desired to set about contriving in the best manner how we can see the whole of the above without embarrassing the <Work> and you will oblige.

      Your most Hble Servts

      Walton & Smeaton



PS. If you have no other sort of Lead to Refine you may continue Refining the same sort as last which came from Mr Wilkinsons Ore or however so much as to enable us to see the above Operations, but if you have begun to Smelt Refineable Ore we would rather have that sort of Lead than the other if you have a Sufficiency.

      The sooner we know the event of our late Tryal of Mr Wilkinson's Lead and all the circumstances relating thereto, the better.