Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Laybourne – 22 Mar 1772

Willy Labourne                                                            		Farnacres 22nd March 1772 



      As we intend making the Lead Mill Pay on the first day of April I desire you will immediately after you receive this make an exact and careful enquiry what Lead is between the Mill and Hexham, and between Hexham and Newcastle if you can hear of that, & give orders for its being brought in with all possible dispatch.   You may perhaps be able to catch some of the Carlisle Carriers as they come down and if you hear of any Lead between Hexham and Newcastle or at Hexham get them to take it up and bring it with them to Newcastle where they will I suppose come against Tuesday.  On Wednesday morning I desire youll set out early and come along the Turnpike as far as the lane to Newburn and examine the road all the way that nothing is left, then follow down the lane to Newburn and do the same and see if Ions has any left at Newburn, if he has order it down to Newcastle directly, then return up the lane to the Military Road and examine it to Elswick where you must enquire of Thomas Ingo & Jonanthan Rile whether they have any Lead & if any order it to Newcastle then return to the Military Road again where you took off to Elswick and examine the remainder of the road to Westgate.  This done you will proceed to Farnacres & give me an Acct of what you have done.         I am

      Your hble Servt

      N W Junr



PS.   The Lead which has been taken from the Mill since beginning to Lead Stones for the Wall at Langley Mill Close you are to take no notice of.