Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 7 Feb 1777

To Mr Peter Mulcaster				Farnacres 7th Feby. 1777

	

Mr Mulcaster

      From the inclosed paper you will see I have been giving the Reducing busyness a full consideration and upon the whole if Elliot could be kept I would wish it provided he will not still be wavering but how to do this is the difficulty.

      You’ll observe that upon a Medium since the Mill begun, even taking in the times when we saved no Litharge, that we have only produced 1017 ¼ pieces of Refined Lead, or thereabouts, from 1680 Cwts of Lead and in Old Elliott & John Elliots time no more than 1016 1/2, from the same quantity, but that in many instances (29 I observe) we have exceeded 1020.   Now what I think wd. be a proper thing, by way of encouraging the best work being made is, that some allowance shd. be given to those workmen in proportion to the produce, for instance suppose we should say to the workmen if you produce for 1680 pieces, more than 1020 you shall be allowed the following Premiums, and in Proportion when lesser or larger Quantities are Refined Viz

	For…	1021…3s pr Operation

	For…	1022…6 p  Do

	For…	1023…9 p  Do

	For…	1024…12 p Do

	For…	1025…15 p Do

	For…	1026…18 p Do

	For…	1027…21 p Do

	For…	1028…24 p Do

	For…	1029…27 p Do

	For…	1030..30 p Do

and so increasing 3s for every Addl pigg of 1 ½ Cwt but on falling short of 1021 to be pd. the now usual price

      After all that I have said and done about the Reducers I would not have any determination come to, what step is to be taken in consequence of Ned Elliots offer to leave us or serve us ‘til I see Mr Smeaton which will be soon but in the mean time I wd have you give the matter consideration and let me have your Sentiments by next Fridays Carrier for tho’ I may possibly be at Hexham on Thursday next it is quite uncertain.   If we must part with Ned Elliot and his father Fran.s Carr is as likely as any I know of and indeed more so to succeed.   I can see that 3 being employed where two might do is in the present case an inconvenience but for all that I do not think having three proper Men would be found so.   I am

Your’s &c

      NW Junr.



PS Wellgill Cross Vein is Refineable it produces 6.17:4 8/10.