Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 2 Jul 1773

To Mr Peter Mulcaster.                                     Farnacres 2nd July 1773



Mr Mulcaster

       Your Letters of the 21st 25th & 28th are come to hand and the contents observed.

       We inclose you a Letter for your Brother which you will forward to him and you are desired to acquaint the Slag Hearth Men that as we can spare one of them for a while it will be very agreable to us that one of them goes to Nenthead Mill to make a Tryal of Smelting the Slags there; indeed it will not only be agreable to us on the Companys Account but also on Account of your Brother; that one of them then goes, we must however at the same time observe that we cannot by any means think it will be proper absolutely to insist upon one of them going, and we hope we may expect they will oblige us, without coming to such an extremity.

       The Cake of Bullion weighed just 858 1/2 Ounces and falls short of the Assays 11 Oz 9Dw 19 2/10 Gr, which is, notwithstanding, good work.

       We are glad to hear Middle Cleugh and Guddamgill Burn Cross Vein Ores work well mixed and as we shall have so much of the better sorts of Ores this year more than last we shall hope all foundation of expecting an increase of Wages will vanish; we are in hopes of having heard something from you in consequence of a Message sent you by Mr Hilton about this matter.  We expect 1000 Bings from Brownleyhill Company in the course of the year and as Capel Cleugh North Vein Ore is much altered in appearance for the better and the Quantity likely to be considerable those are material considerations to induce as to hope that an increase will not be necessary we therefore think it proper to postpone coming to any resolution respecting the Smelters Wages 'til it is seen how those Ores turn out and if after that it should appear proper to make an advance it must certainly be done as we should be glad at all times to give the Workmen every degree of encouragement which they appear to be deserving of.

       We have not yet had time to examine the last two Operations.

       The Recets relating to the Boring are now compleat and we are to be accountable to you for the six small Fir Trees amounting to Twelve Shillings besides the £36.16.10 mentioned in our Letter of the 10th Ult - in the whole £37.8.10.

       We observe you will have sold a Pig of Lead to the Bridge Builders for 20s; the price is sufficient but if they come for any more you may let them know that Slag Lead is by far the best to run Cramps in with.     

       We are Your hble Servts

       N W Junr J S 



You may take down the Borers Tackle. Pray distribute the Hand Bills sent herewith.