Letter – Isaac Hunter to Henry Richmond – 16 Dec 1768

Mr. Richmond N.Castle             				Dukesf'd 16th Dec'r 1768



Sr

You should have had before this a Trial of the quantity of Lead to be got out of the Test Bottoms but as those we had by us were lying in a heep & broke in pieces, that one could not be sure of the quantity one made a Trial of, therefor refer'd making it till we wrought 4 Test w[hi]ch were kept sepperate & wrought yesterday at the Slag Hearth wth the Tayls of Black Slags for a Flux, w[hi]ch I made be picked that there might be no Lead got but what the Test bottoms yielded (Viz.)

                                                  cwt q lb

4 Test in each of w[hi]ch there had been wrought 

  62 ps Lead in all 248 ps Weigh[in]g             343 3  7

Yielded at the Slag Hearth wrought as above 

  Described wth Black Slags                         1 3 25



w[hi]ch is nearly 4 Stone for each Bottom - the Litharge Slags in reducing the Litharge of 5328 ps Lead 6932 cwt 0q 21lb yielded 30 ps = 41cwt 3q 6lb so that there will be for every Ton or 21 cwt of Lead refined 14 lb 2 oz of Lead in the Litharge Slags but that will alter according to the goodness of the Viberatinory Furnace bottom; tho' the Test Bottoms, I believe, will always produce nearly 2 stone for each bottom.

Mr. Sparke was here last week & I let him a bargain of the Black or second Slags at £3 p[er] Ton for I understand he makes no alteration but what he does himself in the Slag Hearth; and he is for having men to Work the Hearth under his directions so I made it in the Bargain that he was to imploy two of our Workmen, w[hi]ch I hope will prevent any foul play as one of them will always be present when the Hearth is on as they being Men that may be depended upon for Honesty I wish you & Mrs. Richmond many happy returns of

the approaching Season

& am yrs &c I H Jr