Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 7 Mar 1774

Mr Mulcaster.                        				Farnacres 7th March 1774



       Your Letters of the 26th and 28th Ulto came to hand in due course and also the Operation and Assays; the former I have examined and find it right but the latter I have not yet had time to weigh and therefore cannot tell you how the Cake of Bullion answers to the Assay.  The Cake of Bullion weighed exactly 641 Ounces.

       I would not have any of the Ore of the present year to come within the next Pay Bill but would have you go on Smelting the Ore now at the Mill and Working up all the Slags,Silver Litharge Hearth Ends, Ore Tails etc  til every thing relating what is now at the Mill is as much finished as possible at the ending of the Operation to which the Pay Bill is to be made out and in case any new Ore should come in before you get all that fine then you may include what relates to it in the Operation you make out next after that which ends with the Pay Bill.  The Stock of Lead now at the Mill with the Lead which will be produced from the Ore now there will be a large Cake but it had best be taken off all together, and the Refineable Slag and Litharge Lead must be taken off separately as usual.

       I shall be glad to receive the Assays of Mr Wilkinsons Ore as you propose.

       I cannot say I am a judge when the most proper Season is for pulling Heather but think the first fit opportunity that presents itself should not be lost in preparing what is necessary for putting your House into the best state and therefore desire you will do what is necessary by way of preparation and til that is done and til you get the work compleated which must be after Mr Smeaton and I have seen it,do as well as you can.             

       I am Your hble Servt

      N W Junr