Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 28 Jan 1771

Mr Mulcaster.                   						Farnacres 28th January 1771

      

      Since writing you yesterday I have weighed the Bullion and find it answers exactly to yoru Weight which is 701 ¼ oz. I have also weighed the Assays the one weighs 2 7/80 grains & the other 2 5/80 grains the average of which is 2 6/80 grains so that supposing we had worked up to the Assay the Cake of Bullion including what is in the Litharge laid by to be wrought over again, should have come to 778 3/4 Ounces or thereabouts ; from this it is clear we have not got so much Bullion this Operation as we ought to have done according to the Assay. Pray Mr Mulcaster should not we save more Litharge to work over again when the Lead is tollerable Rich in Silver than when it only produces five Grains & a Quarter P Fodder? I should think we ought but of that you are certainly the best Judge. I would not have let the above transpire to the workmen or an body else as it would only confirm the false Ideas that may be entertained in consequence of the Idle report spread since Barnatt left us; but I would most undoubtedly encourage the Workmen to use their utmost endeavours to show they can do the Work as well as ever it was done in Barnatts time or better and with your Assistance and teaching of the Workmen we now have I doubt not but we shall shortly have as good a Sett of Workmen as any in the Country. I send you an Acct of the several produces since we began Refining from which it is very evident that there is a considerable uncertainty attending the produce compared with the Assay. I expect we shall for the most part find it so and all we can look for is care added to experience and that I am satisfied of has not been nor ever will be wanting on your part. As to Barnatt trouble not yourself about him, his irregularities would have justified sever treatment he however met with a contrary behaviour from every one concerned and tho' he has at some times seemed to be very thankful for the Indulgencies granted to him yet it is probable he is not sensible of any Obligations on that or any other Acct. I notwithstanding believe him to be a good Workman and pity him exceedingly that he should be so very unfortunate in his Conduct.

      The Lead Mill Pay will be done some time in April but I cannot fix yet. The Lead Carriers I will pay whenever they gat all brought in which was delivered to the end of 1770. I desire youll tell them so and hasten them to bring all in. I am for Mr Smeaton and Self

      Your Hble Servt

      Nich Walton Junr



PS The last Cake was a very beautiful one indeed.





An Acct showg. the produce of Bullion at Langley Mill compared wth yr Assays.



[There follows a table not reproduced here but available in the corresponding copy of the letter contained in the PDF file of this collection.]

 

Corrected Page 138 [see letter/entry of 10 May 1771]