Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 19 May 1771

To Mr Peter Mulcaster 						Farnacres 19th May 1771



Mr Mulcaster

      The Bullion came Safe and its Weight was 433 1/4 Ounces, not 434 1/2, so youll observe go make it agree with the real weight when you make out the Operation.

      Your Letter of the 15 inst I received last Night and have given directions for a Book agreeable to your desire and conformable to the precedent sent one.

      On further considering about the Refining the Black Slag I think it will be right to refine it along with the Refineable Slag and Test Bottom Lead and in the doing of this I would have you mix the Lead so that there will be an equal proportion of Black Slag and Test Bottom Lead mixed with the Refineable Slag Lead in each working Test which will make the Lead all come out of the Reducing Furnace alike in Quality. I would have you attend to this particular in all future operations of the like kind.

      Anything you have to offer to us about the running of the Litharge Slags or anything else we shall be glad at all times to hear from you as it is the wish of Mr Smeaton and myself to try all experiments which promise an advantage to the Work and tho' we may in some instances lose this ought not in the least to discourage us.

      I shall make enquiry about James Bowes and let you know in my next.

      You did very properly in letting Mr Bullock have the Lead. The price is now £15.5 pFodder at Newcastle. The Weight as you make it is 21Cwt  9lbs but it must be only reckoned 21Cwt & 7 lbs. The Rule at Newcastle is that nothing less than Seven Pounds is reckoned. If therefore 14 pieces shd. Weigh at that place 21 & 6 Pounds we only reckon the Weight 21 Cwt. If 21 and 9 lbs 21 & 7. if 21 & 16 – 21 &14. if 21 & 27 lbs - 21 and 21 lbs.



21 Cwt and 7lbs at £15.5   … £15.5.10 3/4



you shd I think have £15.6 for what Mr Bullock got.

      You need not be in any hurry about making the Second Tryal of weighing a Test or two of Litharge and desire it may be done when most convenient to yourself. I am for Mr Smeaton & Self

      Your Hble Servt

      NW Junr