Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 5 Jun 1769

      Farnacres June 5th 1769

Mr Mulcaster

      On Saturday I wrote in a very great hurry concerning the Bingsteads, and least I should not have expressed myself fully on that head I now think it necessary by way of preventing mistakes to inform you that Mr Smeaton and myself are only Sollicitous to have every addition made as compleat and convenient as possible, when it appears necessary that an addition should be made, and that being now very satisfactorily to us the Case, the only Question that remains is, the Situation and Situations of that, as you are constantly upon the Spot, and cannot but see where the additional Conveniencys will be most properly placed, you must necessarily be a Competent Judge, and tho' the difference of Situation may create a difference of Expence, if that should not be considerable, I desire you may proceed in that way which seems best calculated to answer the end and without the least delay.

      As you express a desire of having an Assay Furnace in the Office, by all means get one made, but with the utmost attention let it be done in such manner at to avoid all possibility of it being the occasion of setting Fire to the Building.

      I desired to know the Quantitys of each sort of Slag Lead from which the last Cake of Silver was taken; you tell me that could not have been done without loss to the Undertaking; I am therefore satisfied in not receiving it; and whenever I ask a thing the giving of which is to occasion more harm than good, I shall ever rest contented when I don't receive it.

      I have not ordered any Hop Bags and you will therefore do as well as you can without them.

      If you have not made application to Mr. Tweedale for a Slag Hearth Man I desire nothing of that kind may be done til you hear further.

      How it happens I cannot conceive, the Silver taken from the Slag Lead falls short of the One Pound Assay 10 Ozs 2 Dwt 5 2/10 Grs. and of the 1/2 lb Assay 23 Ozs 18 Dw & 13 9/10 Grs it also falls short of the Weight you make it 10 Ozs 5 Dw & 10 Grs . 

      I am Your Hble Serv.

      NW Junr.



PS. For the future mark the Ticketts for delivery of Lead GHO. GHL. GHO3. GHR. as the sort shall be and not say Common Refined or what the sort is as we know the sort by the mark.