Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 3 Aug 1770

Mr Mulcaster. 								Farnacres 3rd Aug 1770

 

      I have reced your Letter and think there is an Awkwardness in Refining Unrefineable Lead as we have stiled it and desire you will take Notice in the Operation when the Refining Trial is compleated that the Lead Refined was denominated Unrefineable in former Operations but Refined by way of Tryal as it seemed to promise some more advantage in that way than to sell it as common Lead.

      I think all Persons who are alike circumstanced with Geo. Jackson may do as he does but I do not judge it to be a parallel case where he gives leave to others to lay their Lead on his Ground and tho' I am inclined to believe the Turnpike Commissioners have no right to prevent our laying or Leading the Lead as we will provided we dont use upon their Turnpike more Horses than three with a Cart or Carriage having two Wheels I would endeavour to give no room for disputes I therefore am of Opinion it will be improper for Jackson to give leave to anyone to lay Lead upon his Ground, notwithstanding his doing it himself,but this only til further Orders: All Persons who are obliged to come upon the Roads before they go to the Mill are most certainly upon a different footing as to any dispute which may arise than those who lye so as to be enabled to go to it and lay down their Lead without ever coming upon the Road at all, those may clearly do as they will, that is, lay down their Lead short of the Turnpike Gate upon Grounds adjoining to the Roads leading from Nubbock Ellrington or other roads before they join the Turnpike Road and use as many or as few Horses as they will, their Names, as well as that of all others , however should be put upon the Carts and in general they should and must inform themselves to the General Law relating the Roads in the whole of the Kingdom. You will perhaps be at a loss here what to say to them. It is not necessary to explain to them anything further than that they must behave themselves well and give way to passengers. If any of the Carriers have done what they ought not to have done so as to fall within the Act and thereby to incurr Penaltys we cannot Justify them but if they have not and certainly will be Supported. You must tell them all to be careful and in case they will be wrongheaded it will necessarily follow that the consequence will fall upon themselves.

      As you dont tell me the distances of the Lead Mills etc from the places of Carriage I cant form any Judgement of the Prices. I am

      Sir Your most Hble Servt

      N Walton Junr

      

PS. As to the Quantity to be carried upon a Carriage dont mind the Turnpike Man at all, nor do you be assiduous about the Carriers removing the Lead from the Turnpike sides as that would look as if they had done amiss in laying it there, this we positively deny, if it is laid so as not to incommode Travellers in Carriages or otherwise. Send Refined Lead. Let the Carriers have Money on Account as you judge proper but with great Caution.