Letter – Nicholas Walton to Peter Mulcaster – 8 Feb 1773

Mr Mulcaster.                                    Farnacres 8th February 1773



       I received your Letter of the 1st instant as also the Operation for last Month but have not yet had time to examine the latter.

       I am very sorry the Middle Cleugh Ore has not proved so good as was hoped for but as I doubt not all possible care has been taken we must be content and hope to do better in future.

       As Mr Hilton tells me you have discovered another Quarry I hope that will make the bargain to Browns people answer better than was expected if it should appear notwithstanding that they have a hard bargain we must not allow them to be sufferers.

       It gives me pleasure to hear that you have got some Water in the last hole.   I hope it will continue, if it does, the Borehole should be carefully covered and a Conduit made as proposed so as to secure it in the best manner and if the Borers advise to a Box should be put in from the place where they Sunk to, to the Stonehead to prevent to hole running.

       When you have compleated the trials of Middle Cleugh Ore roasted and unroasted shall be glad to hear from you.

       We have Frost here and I doubt your Washing is entirely stopped, that we ought to submit with chearfulness because we cannot make it otherwise, indeed if we had it within our power I dare say we should cut a sorry figure if we altered it.

       Tho' I date my Letter from Farnacres I am now in Newcastle and have been for a Week past when I return home you may depend upon having a Copy of the Operation you mention in return for which pray send me a Copy of this Letter as I have not time to make one. I am for Mr Smeaton & Self

               Your very hble Servt

               	N W a Junr PS 



If it shd come on a hard frost and continue a few days during such time I should wish to set on the carriage of Lead till the Mill is cleared but don't let them carry when the Road will be hurt by it.