Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 26 May 1775

Mr Mulcaster.                                 			Farnacres 26 May 1775



       Yesterday I had advice of the Bellows being Shipped at London the 20 of this Month so I shall expect them every day and they shall be sent to the Mill without loss of time after they get to Newcastle.  Mr Laybourne I expect will get the Mill House covered in by the latter end of next Week and I hope they will soon afterwards get the Machinery fixed and all things forwarded as fast as possible.   If you want any Cast Iron for the new Hearth pray let me know as soon as you can with the names & dimensions of the whole.

       We have had a fine Rain and I flatter myself you will have got a good supply of Water by it; but as the Ground was so very dry before the Rain came I doubt you will scarce have got what you think sufficient.	

       As on considering the trouble & Expence of making a Pit of Charcoal at Hagbank, I think it will cost full as much or more than Charcoal may be purchased for we must give up thoughts of trying Hagbank Wood.

       When you have got an Acct. taken of the Wood fit for the Mill, for Cart Wrights, and for Grove Wood, desire you will send it to me, besides the quantity of those sorts brought by Pattinson, there are some other pieces, which were brought from Hagbank, and some from Low Hall, all of which I wd have distinguished from each other.  The Fellie Wood may be sold to the Cart Wrights for the best price that can be got for it and the sooner the better & I wish the Sett Wood to be worked up as fast as possible and sent to Greengill where they will give us the usual price we being at the Expence of Carriage and as the Carriers when they come to the Mill loaden with Ore will take it as back Carriage, it should be done cheap on that account; the price P Dozen must be left to yourself to fix as well as you can.  Mr Laybourne will sell etc Fellie Wood.

       The Bone Ashes will be sent the first opportunity and I desire to know whether you think 100 will do for this year.

       Robt Pearson is at liberty to cast a small quantity of Peats in the Purley Pot Moss paying the same Acknowmt he did last year.

       As it is very expensive getting Wood from the Hagg Bank I do think it will be the best thing we can do to drop all thoughts of entering into the expence of bringing the Refuse Wood to the Mill for Smelting with.

       When you have finished the Trial of Fell End Coals will be glad to have the result and after you have compleated this Tryal you will then get some Brokenheugh Coals.

       I send you Thirty Pounds by Mr Laybourne for which he has on your Account given a Recet so you need not trouble sending one.

       The Bingsteads West of the Refinery may be fixed as you and Mr Laybourne find will answer the end best and indeed I am quite satisfied they will be found most convenient as you and he intend them.  I am for Mr Smeaton & Self 

               Your hble Servt

               	N W Junr