Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 31 Mar 1775

 Mr Mulcaster.                         			Farnacres 31 March 1775



       I very much approve of what you have done with respect to H. Smith and of your sentiments and what you intend doing as to him but I think it may be proper to let the matter rest til Mr Smeaton & I are together at Hexham and by this days Post I shall desire Mr Bell to give you Notice to Noble and Dixon to pay their Rents on the Monday when we shall have time to talk to them - but it has just struck me that perhaps it may be better to let them come without sending and just when they think proper, as giving them Notice some time before hand, may put them upon speaking in the Neighbourhood where they Live and having some things put into their heads which otherwise would not enter.	

       Upon the whole I think the Carriage had best go on til the Mill is cleared and then insist upon getting it to or towards the Markett at least as far as Hexham and not deliver more, except to us as have carried all their Lead so far or farther

       It realy vexed me to see you are so plagued with Scaleburn Moss Ore but we are like to make the best of it if we can and it appears to me that the difficulty arises almost wholly from the bad quality.

       What I meant with regard to the Holly etc was that the straight Wood should be left last because if any should be thought proper to be put up unblocked, it had best be the straight pieces as taking up less room; and the largest Hollys, I mean those of the largest diameter, should not be blocked as some of them may perhaps be more useful other ways than for Coggs, Rounds or Kamms

       I am glad you have got Screws for one pair of Bellows and desire they may be got fixed the first opportunity & you give me much pleasure in saying you think the Slag Hearth Bellows will work so as to answer. You are right in getting no more Screws for the present as I dare say Mr Smeaton will be able to improve upon what you have done

       I am Your hble Servt

       N W Junr 



PS Possibly some of our Tenants or some part of their Families might be at Duke Forrests on the Night of the 18 of Febry; enquire ag. we come to Hexham.  We shall hope to see you at Hexham on Sunday Evening the 9th Apr (Sunday Sennt).  Tell Willy Labourne I have reced his Letter of the 30th inst.