Letter – Nicholas Walton to William Laybourne – 23 Jul 1771

To Mr William Laybourne 						Farnacres 23rd July 1771



Mr Laybourne

      I reced your Letter of the 26th instant (wch. I suppose should have been dated the 19th) and observe the Contents.

      The price asked by the Lead Carriers, tho' less than what we have either paid or offered, is yet too much; for why should we pay more for Carriage of a Cask weighing 11Stone than a Pig of Lead weighing 12 Stone and particularly as it is back Carriage? it surely ought in reason to be less without there is more trouble in carrying the one than the other. I have this day given directions that no more Bone Ashes be delivered at the Warehouse til further orders, and as soon as I hear again from you I will settle this matter. I desire youll acquaint the Carriers that you have spoke to they shall have 1s7d P Cask, but we will only give this price for the present year and expect the Carriers will engage to deliver all safe at the Mill before Winter. I must have their Names before you go North and for otherwise I shall not be able to tell Thomas Ions who he is to deliver the Casks to & I wish Pattison the Lead Carrier might have part.

      I am glad to hear you have got the Lead House finished, as I am that your works are well forward this Season.

      In your way to or from the North you must call at Mr Bullocks new House and measure the work so as to ascertain how many Fodders of Stones he has got from Meldon Quarry; and I desire youll get on as fast with Mr Dobsons as possible. I am

      Your Hble Servt

      N W Junr



PS Pray have you done any thing at the <Lees> Wear

      There will be about 75 Casks to come up this Season. I hear you have set the Oven at the South End of the Row of Housing at Langley Mill if so it must be removed or we shall otherwise have all the Housing Burnt. As I remember I ordered it to be set considerably to the South East from the Housing so as to be quite by itself. I shall see the Oven before any thing further is done.