Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 18 Mar 1780

Mr Peter Mulcaster.                           			Farnacres 18 March 1780



Mr Mulcaster

       I am so perfectly satisfied about the Work you have to do being impossible against the time we proposed the Pay, that I beg you'll not thinking of hurrying the Business but let us have a Pay when that can be done with convenience and perhaps we may contrive to pay Lead Mill & Lead Carriers together, I however beg the Level work may be brot. into a Pay Bill ending 5th April and sent down to Farnacres so as to be there by Tuesday the 11th of April and at the same time I desire to receive any Bills which are due from us at Newcastle or in the Neughbourhood either for the Level or for the Mill.  I have paid James Johnson £40 upon Account of Lead Carriage which thought it necessary to mention to you.

       It is a difficulty upon me what to do as to the Lead Ore Carriage but before I enter more into the Subject I desire you will contrive if possible to come at the truth of what the Company intends.  If they fix the prices you mention, I own I think it necessary for us to do something but can never judge it proper to make our price proportionable to 2s/6d to Whitfield and on the whole shall thank your for your Sentiments.  I have written to Mr Hilton desiring he will let me know the prices the Company intend paying, but that must not prevent your Enquiry.

       I am glad to hear you have a piece of Wood ready for the Head Stocks and that you have a spare Brass.   I cannot account for the Wear of the Brass at the outer End of the Axis in any other way (supposing the Brasses at each end to be equally hard) than by that End of the Gudgeon being always coldest.

       The produce of Lead from the Reducing is indeed very good & I do think after all that has been said & done in this Business, we must consider when I come to the Mill of putting this matter upon some footing of Reward for good produce and deduction for bad or indifferent according to degrees in both instances.

       It is quite clear it will be advantageous to Greenwich Hospital to slate your House and as there must be a new Roof and consequently the other one taken off, it will be proper to raise the Walls so that the principals may stand upon Joists and therefore you will be so good as get Mr Howden & the two Carpenters Watson & Henderson to make an Estimate what the whole will cost and send the same here with all speed the Ceiling Joists will do again as far as they will go and as we shall now ciel flush over, some addl. pieces will be wanted which may be got from the present Sparrs and as to the Principal Beams tho' all the rest of the Roof must be Firr I wd have them of Oak to be furnished by the Hospital from Dinnettly or Highwood.  The House Walls I wd have raised to 17 feet and it will be necessary to have two plain now Sash Windows.  The Slates you may get to the place when you will as good Weather suits, & Stones may also be got ledd both I hope before we come to the Mill the 18th of April, but the Slates had best be dressed before you bring them.     I am

       Your Hble Servt

       N W Junr 





PS. you have as follows our Acct as now fixed.

 April 	18     	Arrive at Langley Mill in the Evening 

       19, 20 	View Langley Barony & pay Level Men

       21.     	Go for the West Country

              30.    	Dine at Langley Mill.  Possibly we may get to you the night before.

   May	1/2   	Receive at Hexham

          	Lead Mill & Lead carriage pay to be first afterwards.



You'll let Howden & the Carpenters know what is intended before they make their Estimates.  The Stamps I ordered immediately & hope they come to & hope they come to you by this days Carriers if not they will come to you by Mondays Carriers.  If you can give me directions for some Brasses I wish you to do so.