Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 6 Dec 1771

Mr Mulcaster							Farnacres 6th December 1771



      Your Letters of 22d & 29th Ult are now before me in answer to which this is to acquaint you that I think it will be proper to leave a Blank in every operation paper for the Weight of the Bullion til it is Weighed here and then it may be filled up with the proper Weight. The Operation Papers to the 26th October last will now all agree. I am glad you think there might yet be an advantage by drying the Coals... moderation is good you see in all instances or however in most. Your produce of Bullion answers to the Assay very well including the price you mention to have to refine and the produce is better than Ten Ounces P Fodder you observe. I dare say Nicholas Temperley is right in what he says abt Walling the Shaft from the bottom, and think John White may be a very proper Man to do this Work. An Arch should be turned at the top of the Water way at the bottom of the Shaft and I beg great care may be taken to secure this part well. There is no objection to Wm. Pattison's having Lead in the way you mention but he must not carry it farther than his own House upon any Account til the Carriage is set forward again and take great care of it there. His Proposals about Leading appear to me reasonable enough. John Martin will certainly be a very proper Man for Winning the Stones. With regard to Mr Laybourne I dare say the great Flood has cut him out a Winters Work. I was glad to hear when at Hexham that you had received the Iron Pot and also the Barrs of Square Iron and two Bunches one of Nail Strings the other of Hoop Iron. I inclose you Copies of the Notes and Weight of the three latter parcels that you may compare the Quantities reced with the Charges. You calculated your Lead to a <Hair> Your reasoning upon the Washing of Rampgill is very good and what you are doing is very proper, but I am sorry there should be occasion to Wash it at all. The Bullion I heard was arrived at Newcastle this morning and I ordered it to Gateshead. I have no objection to your coming to see your Brother at Blaydon but I would by no means agree that you should lie in the House where he lives or in any other which has been Flooded for as you live so high in the atmosphere you will be very susceptible of cold in such a habitation, much more so than those who live constantly by the Waters edge. You may be assured I shall be glad to see you here and am

      You Hble Servt

      N W Junr





7th December 1771

 

I have consulted with Mr Smeaton about the Bellows who is of Opinion that no Lead should be used but only a Plate of Iron, just so much in Diameter as to show itself upon the end of the Bellows Head, above the piece which you fix upon the Pipe to keep it from shoving into the Bellows, and then there will be a part of the end of the Bellows Head always open to wedge as occasion may require. Pray give the Man at Dilston Turnpike Barr One Shilling for his care of a Pig of Lead which some of the Carriers had lost; you may do this in your way to Bladon: Take the Man's Recet. The Bullion Weighs 720 3/4 Ounces and I this day sent it off to London. Upon farther considering the Walling of the Shaft I would not have you do any thing about it til I see you here.

I am Your Hble Servt

N W Junr