Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 3 Mar 1772

Mr Mulcaster 							Farnacres 3rd March 1772 



      I have received your Letter of the 28th February and have since weighed all the Assays including those for the last Cake of Bullion.

      The Bullion answers the Assay very well as it is, within 19 Pennywt 19 3/10 <Op> of being exactly agreable to calculation and Weighed 501 3/4 Ozs.

      Cowhill, and Cowhill cross Vein and Cowslitts cross Vein must be refined; Old Cowslitts and Litharge Slag & Test Bottom Lead will not answer.

      I shall take care to order 150 Casks of Bone Ashes.

       What you propose respecting the cutting Ore is most certainly right, and also what you intend as to the Refiners, and I have no objection to obliging our Friends particularly when there is no inconvenience attending it and I am sure, Mr Smeaton would have none if he was here, but quite the contrary; you will therefore contrive to let them go to Stanhope as soon as they can be spared.  The Lead saved from the Silver Tests, I mean the Lead produced from the Litharge saved, Mr Smeaton and I wish to have Refined by itself, and the Silver taken off also by itself, in order that we may see the effect of what has been done, and this must be done before the Refiners go to Stanhope.

      I am glad your produce from Mr Wilkinsons Ore is so good and am for Mr Smeaton and Self.

             Your hble Servt

             		N W Junr.



PS

      We shall make the Lead Mill Pay upon the 1st or 8th of May I am not certain which and I beg you will do as much as possible in getting the Slags etc Smelted up against that time.  I have some Greengill Hush Ore which is not yet reported, you may report it & it must be Smelted before the Pay & the carriage pd at the Pay.

      Tell the Lead Carriers to get all finished as fast as possible & I will make a Pay immediately after they have done.