Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 17 Nov 1782

Messrs Mulcaster.				Farnacres 17 November 1782

	

      Yours of the 9th, 11th, 13th and 14th are now before us and we are glad to see that Nichs. Lumley has got the Chimneys finished and hope that what he has done will answer the end.

	We perfectly understand what has been done as to the Keswick Slag but are rather surprised it shd. turn out so very rich; it certainly would pay carriage from Keswick if we could get any considerable Quantity of it so as to have a good Shift or two at the Slag Hearth and we could purchase it at the <cost of> 30 or 40 s p[er] Bing & therefore we desire youll consider that and let us know what Quantity you think would answer for a Couple of Shifts.   We look upon it to be between Grey and Black Slag & that there is no doubt it would run in the Slag Hearth and our Opinion is that Black Slag and a small mixture of Iron would not be an improper <Flux> As to getting so much Lead <in> proportion as by Assay we Shd. not expect it but shd. not be very much surprised if we were even to work up to the Assay.   	It is a pity it should be lost and it most assuredly will most of it be so if attempted to be smelted by those who Smelted the Ore from whence the Slag or Regulus was produced.	

In calculating the produce we find you have made the following errors



                          lb Grs 80ths

Shawfoot Slag 2 Assays of 1/4    51   6. 4.22.5  shd be   6. 4.22.8

Keswick Slag  1 Assay     3/16   60  29. 8. 4    shd be  29. 8

Do.           1 Assay     3/4  1 40  29. 8. 4    shd be  29. 8

Do.           2 Assays    1/2  3 47  35. 3. 3.5  shd be  35. 3. 3.6

Do.           2 Assays    1/2  4 71  47.17.22.7  shd be  47.17.22.8

Do.           1 Assay     1/16   49  48     9.5  shd be  48     9.6

Farnberry     2 Assays    1/2  1 25  12.17       shd be  12.17. 6



the above errors are all set right.

	We think there is now scarce a doubt but we shall come up to Mr. Waltons calculation of 3000 Bings for Duty.   Mr Walton likes a little diversion but does not chuse that either that or his Dog shd. ever be thought of where it is to interfere with busyness.

	We are obliged by your sending to Messrs <Winship> & Jobling to see the Silver taken off and shall expect to receive it tomorrow.

	We duly reced. Thomas Temperley’s Accot. as mentioned in yours of the 11th. – as also the Expence of altering the Chimneys in yours of the 14th & have pd. Nich Lumley & Son.    The other part of the charge may be put into the next Lead Mill Pay Bill by the following Title 

	For altering Chimneys at Langley Mill Housing and setting an Oven.   

      We are Yr Hble Servts

      Walton & Turner