Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 20 Aug 1779

To Mr Peter Mulcaster.                				Farnacres 20th Augt 1779



Mr Mulcaster

       I reced your's of the 12th and 14th inst and now take the very first opportunity of Writing to you in Answer, but before I proceed I must acquaint you that Yours of the 14th arrived two days before that of the 12th which contained the Account of the Open Cast Drain.

       I find from the Mem I made when with you and the Accounts of Expence which you sent me that the following will be the result Viz. 

                                                               P Yard

                                                                s d

First Acct sent by you for 20Yds Open Cast 19 1/3 Yds 

   Cutting &c and 4Yds Cutting only it will be about            3 4

Second Acct for One Week ending 9th Augt 4Yds supposed 

   for each day abt                                             4 2 

Third Acct takes in the whole from the beginning to the 

   time I saw it abt                                            4 3 

And According to my Notes when on the Spot and reckoning

   3 Casters at 16d - 4Labourers at 14d - 2 Wallers at 20d 

   & Carriage  4d and Superintendance 2 Shillings for one 

   day and  Supposing 4 Yards to be finished in One day abt     4 6



       From the above it is plain if we can agree for the whole so farr as Open Cast can be done, at 4/s P Yard including Casting Winning Leading and Setting that it will be the best way to do so if not we must go on by day 'til we see some material alteration and indeed it is plain we must go on Open Cast for some time as it will Cost 15/s P Yard to do it the manner as described by the Sketch on the other side.  You have done right as to Dent.

       I desire you will fix Monday the 30th inst to make the Lead Carriers pay at the Golden Lion in Hexham and pray let Notice be given to all the Carriers immediately.  There were upwards of 480 pieces wanting last Night but I doubt not they will be all got into the Warehouse in a few Days 160 were  expected this day.   I am

               Yours etc   N W Junr



PS   I send a Recommendation for Wm Pattinson's Son and desire he may come to Newcastle on Wednesday and offer himself on Thursday Morning at the Infirmary where he should be by ten o Clock and wait till the admitting time.  He must take the Recommendation with him and his Father had best come with him.

      I propose paying a visit at Threepwood immediately after the pay and will then also see you.



[A scale drawing of – presumably – the drain referred to in this letter can be found in the PDF of this document]