Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 20 Nov 1772

Mr Mulcaster						Farnacres 20th November 1772



      We have received your Letters of the 11th & 16th instant and duly note their contents.

      You will take your own time to make the Tryals of the Fume and particularly we would not have you attempt it til you have convenience to do them as they ought to be done, nor would we have the Furnace heated on purpose.

      What you propose as to weighing an equal quantity of each sort of <Fine> Fume is perfectly right as without that no comparison can be made that will answer our purpose.   The coarse part may be run mixed as all we want from it is to get the most Lead out of it we can.

      You understand the directions we gave you about Muddle Cleugh Ore so you proceed upon it at your convenience.

      The breadth of the Ditch 3 feet at Top the Depth (which is certainly set down upon the Sketch sent you) 2 Feet the breadth at bottom 8Inches.  The Sketch is laid down upon a Scale of one Inch to a foot and you may readily find out all the dimensions, where not particularly set down, 60 or 63 Quicks to every Rood is the common Quantity.  You must desire Mr Bell to take a look at the Hedging now and then we expect that from him as being within his district so you will let him see this Letter when you go to Hexham and we doubt not he will give you assistance.

      Cowhill Lead is certainly unrefineable.  The slag and Cowslitts cross Vein Lead are refineable.  The Assay you mention, about which you suppose there has been some mistake, was quite hollow and we are satisfied we need not trouble further but get the Lead run into 1 1/2 Cwt pieces;  the three Assays are within 1/80th part of a Grain of each other which proves they are true made.  The extra produce of Cowhill Ore is very agreeable to us, that will pay handsomely for melting it and casting it into 1 1/2 Cwt Pigs and leave something for Profit compared with what that Ore has done before and therefore dont let us fret for having done what was thought best; indeed when one does for the best in any case & the event proves not so well as was expected, tho' it cannot be agreeable, yet it is a great consolation to say I did what I thought was right.

      We are your very hble Servts

             		W&S



PS.  We are sorry to hear the Borers have lost a hole, for want of Boxes; we have given directions to Wm Laybourne to let you have Wood for Boxes and to make them and he will soon be with you. 

      Til further orders you need not cut the Bullion in pieces but send it whole as heretofore.

      We wish to have all the Lead in as soon as possible & desire no more be delivered from the Mill this Season.