Letter – Jonathan Hilton to John Gilbert – 29 Aug 1777

A Copy of A Letter sent Mr Gilbert				Alston 29th Augt 1777



Sir,

As it has been always customary for us to make the Pay for Smelting, Refining, Lead Carriage &ca at Stanhope immediately after the finishing that work in every year, & it is now above a year since there Workmen & Carriage Men were paid I wrote Mr Atkinson on the 3d Inst desiring he would assist me in getting Cash for that Purpose & recd his Answer of the 5th in which he desired that the Pay might be deferred till an Account with Doctor Hall who Bought the Principal part of the Lead was settled, since then my Son was at Newcastle and on enquiry found the Quantity of Lead sold Doctor Hall was nearly Delivered I therefore wrote Mr Atkinson again on the 23d and recd his Answer of the 26th to the following purport; Doctor Halls Accot is made out and will about settle our Accot but the quantity of Lead ready to come in will not Answer for the Pay, & as you expect Mr Gilbert coming I think we may contrive to make it at the Time, if he will join in the security for the remainder.

Now Sir as this has always been the usual time of making the above Pay what I would beg is that you will be so obliging as write Mr Atkinson as soon as you can with convenience and I hope then matters may be settled so as to have no stop in future application for Money to do what is necessary for the carrying forward the Works where Lord Carlisle is concerned as you expressed your intention of doing so when you saw Mr Atkinson I shall further take it as a favour if you will please to let me know when you intend being here as I wish to have every matter so fixed as to give you the least trouble possible. My Son joins me in Compts.

      & I am Sir Your Most Obet Humb Servt



P.S. Mr Sellers & I wrote you on the 25th Inst which hopes you have recd.