Longford 30th August 1755\n\nI return you the Franks for Mr Baker: Mr Powell seems to be a very publick spirited man, and I think his scheme, if properly conducted, might prove a very beneficial one to this Nation. \n\nI thank you, for the receipt to destroy Norway Rats, but I may venture to pronounce that it does not answer the effect: for the stuff has layed for severall days in their runs, and they have never touched it, nay there is reason to think they have jumped over the Balls to avoid them, for the marks of their feet have appeared within two inches of the Balls in narrow places, so there is no occasion for the Oyl of Rhodium to bring the rats near the Poison; you will let your Correspondent know this, and that He is quite mistaken in this affair, but my Apothecary at my desire, made it up with his own hands; perhaps you may say, there are not Norway Rats enough here, but I assure you We have the true sort of the colour of wild rabbits, with several red hairs on the back sand white upon their Bellys; as to the Quantity We have in about two months destroyed an hundred and twelve in steel spring traps, baited with raw meat; and We can learn of no other method to destroy them, without shooting them , which we do sometimes, though we have killed so many, the number that remains must be very large, for at present we kill about three a day, and we continually hear them behind the Wainscot, and over our heads at the top of the House, The Cats kill a few of the rats, but they are rather afraid of the old ones. \n\nI am, \n\nYour Humble Servant, \n\nFolkestone
Longford 11th October 1755\n\nI thank you for your letters, and accounts of the Proceedings of the Society; you mention to me, that rusty Bacon poisoned will destroy Norway Rats: though mine are a good deal thinned by a Rat Catcher, I have a mind to try that Remedy: but can you inform me how to poison Bacon and I have been advised to lay cuttings of the yew Tree, which when withered is reckoned a rank poison, the rats here have eaten a good deal of it, but I can't say, whether they have been poisoned by it, I shall however continue to lay it. \n\nI will get you to desire the Chairman at the next Meeting of the Society, to propose William Brotherton Esq as a Candidate to be balloted for at the next meeting; he is a Gentleman of my acquaintance; He lives in Lincolns Inn Fields. \n\nI am, \n\nYour obedient Servant, \n\nFolkestone