Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 1 Mar 1773

Mr Mulcaster.                           Farnacres 1st March 1773

          

      Your Letter of the 22nd ult is now before me and in answer thereto I am now to acquaint you that it seems proper for us to be clear of Brown the first opportunity that offers but I am sorry we never before heard of this character; if we had any thing of it to be sure he would never have had an offer of a Farm at Langley Mill; as to the being apprehensive of consequences by discharging him don't ever let such an Idea enter into your head; by such a rule if we should get a set of Pick Pockets and Thieves as Workmen settled among us we must keep them all.  I would however and caution in the affair and so long as the Man behaves justifiably in his work and otherwise conducts himself properly I do not see we can get rid of him decently; but if a Refiner should Marry, then he must go out in course, or he may perhaps get himself accommodated elsewhere, this I hope he will, but as you do I think it likely he will not find that so easy as he immagines.  He must give an immediate answer whether he gives up the Farm or not, and if he does, he must have notice to quit the Cottage he lives in, such notice I mean as we are obliged by our Agreement with the Cottagers, to give.  You know that best yourself, and if he can be properly got away at Mayday and we can have some other of the Smelters to take the Cottage and Ground together that will be the most agreable thing to us, for otherwise we shall have a Farm upon our hands.  I do not however suppose there can be any difficulty in the other three taking this Farm among them til it can be Let, so you will in case find it necessary propose that to them and endeavour to get them or Liddell to take it.  With regard to the Corn removed I think we should forgive Browns people in case they bring back the Straw but I can only speak for myself and am sure if they do not keep religiously to their promise I shall not excuse what has been done.  You will take notice what quantity of Corn they remove in order that you may know what Straw they should bring back.

      You may Smelt Brownleyhill Ore as you find it most convenient to the Work.     I am

 		Your humble Servant

                        	N W Junr



PS.   Let me hear from you and make a particular Memorandum of what passes between Brown and you, and you'll let me know what notice it is necessary to give the Cottagers so as to oblige them to give their Cottages.   I suppose if Brown gets accommodated elsewhere he will be for leaving his Cottage at Mayday in course.  Pray have any of Browns Family yet administered?  and if they have I desire youll let me know. I inclose you a Letter to William Brown  which you will read, and then Seal and deliver it to him, and if you think fit you may take a Copy of it.