Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 26 Mar 1773

Mr Mulcaster.                           			 Farnacres 26 March 1773



       I have tryed the Assays which you have sent me and find Windybrow is Refineable, barely so, and the rest Viz the Slag etc Lead is unrefineable.  As to Brigal Burn I return you the Paper for the Assay, for I am sure from its appearance there has never been an Assay in it; that is not material, as you say it is without dispute refineable.  The Fume Lead just produces 1Oz .14D. 7 2/10 GR pFodder which is more than any one would expect; but as I have often said there is no judging of the operations of nature except by experiment and by that we find there us Silver in the Fume of Lead, we would not be otherwise convinced.

       Nothing that comes in after this must come into the Account at the Pay; but do as much as you can as to getting every thing brought into Lead which belongs to the Ore now at the Mill and what has been before Smelted because we always at the end of every year would be glad to know the produce as exactly as possible.     When I say this I do not see you ought to be prevented proceeding with the fresh Ore only taking particular notice that it is not to come into the Account & keeping the produce of Lead, Slags etc all separate from the preceding Quantities.

       You may fix the Borehole at any way within 15 yards West from the Refinery but you must consider the Line to be drawn from the 6th Borehole Northward to pass through a point within 5 yards of the Refinery end.    I am

      &c  NWJunr