Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Holmes – 25 Jan 1787

Mr John Holmes							Farnacres 25 Jan: 1787.

Sir

       We were this day fav[oure]d with your Letter of the 23rd Inst acknowledging the rec[eip]t of ours of the 8th Inst which did not arrive in London ‘til the 16th on acc[oun]t of its having been mislaid in the Office after being sealed.

       We are sorry to find that Mr Smeaton neglected writing about the Compass, as it is much more wanted than either the Copying Paper or the Ink, and indeed we cannot help saying that we are disappointed in seeing that we are to receive Ink Powder instead of Ink. Mr Walton’s expression in ours of the 8th was Six Bottles of Copying Ink – and the reason of his desiring Ink rather than Powder was that Mr Bolton himself having sent Mr Walton 1 Doz[en] papers of powder as a present, he (Mr Walton) has found so much difficulty and disappointment in making the Ink from them that he wishes most heartily he had never seen them. After those you have sent come to hand, we will try to make Ink from them, and if it sh[oul]d not answer, we must beg leave again to trouble you for some Ink.

       We cannot help thinking that you mistake me In what we have intimated concerning a Gentleman of our Acquaintance receiving 5s 8d per Ounce for fine Silver. This matter having accidentaly been ment[ione]d to us, we not only tho[ugh]t it our Duty to the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital but to you and ourselves to mention it to you, but not in the least with a view or wish to deal with any other person and we beg leave to assure you that we are now and have been perfectly satisfied with the agreement as it now stands between us, and we hope you are so too. Perhaps the Difference of price may be owing to the circumstances you mention (the carriage) but, be that as it may, we have no wish to alter the line in which the whole of our Silver now goes. We are Sir

       Your most H[umb]le Serv[ant]s

       Walton & Turner