Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 28 May 1771

Mr Mulcaster 							Farnacres 28th May 1771



      We have had some flying Showers for these two days but the Wind keeps so high that we cannot expect Rain til it abates I hope that will be soon, as the Drought is now very great indeed.

      I observe the produce of Litharge etc and am a good deal surprised at the difference between this and the last Trial, there surely must have been some mistake in the former Trial and I therefore would have you make another at some more convenient time than it can be to you now.

      As the produce from the Reducing Furnace is exceedingly material we must get Nicholas Temperley to work some more of the Coals in the weaker part of the Seam and pray cannot you reserve some part of the Lesser Peat House to lay them in if you have not Room otherwise & then they may not be spoiled by lying out.

      I am sorry to see the produce from Capel Cleugh North Vein so indifferent and desire youll give Mr Hilton about the Washing bother, not only there but at all the Mines.

The behaviour of Mrs Ords Steward is very ungenteel and I think any person who can Act so, is unworthy our Notice.

      You may continue to deliver Lead as fast as the Carriers chuse to take it, til you have further Orders.

      The Test Bottom Lead last Assayed is to be sure very poor in Silver but we had once some Test Bottom Lead which produced above 8 Ounces to the Fodder and that we have none is as well worth Refining as the last Lead of Mr Wilkinsons was I would however have you try your Experiments for it is a matter of indifference to us how we make Profit either Lead and Silver or Lead alone will do & therefore let us make Trial and follow the method which is found best after that is done.

      I desire youll let me know as soon as you have seen James Bowes whether you are likely to get him to take any Lead. It will most undoubtedly be better for him to take the Lead at Barn Burn than at Haydon Bridge.

      The last Cake of Silver was a little dirty at the Edges pray how does this happen? as to the weight falling short of yours it might easily do that for you know it is a very easy matter to mistake one Ounce in the adding up a few figures together. I am pretty certain we were right in Weighing it for we weighed each piece separate and all the four together and there was only 1/16th of an Ounce difference.

      I think what you said to the Carriers about our expecting them to carry the Lead to Newcastle perfectly right. Corbett and Johnson don't know when they are well.

      I am for Mr Smeaton and Self Your Hble Servt

      NW Junr.