Series 4 > Scottish industrial history

BEGINING AND END OF LEWIS CHEMICAL WORKS 205
The whole Works through other. Honestly Confessed with Tears,
That he did not Know, or could account for but a small per centage
of the Lignoline (Lamp oil) Distilled from all the Tar received at the
Refinery for the Last 12 Months. The oil Tanks in Store supposed
by him to be full of Finished refined Oil, Now descovered Empty.
When spoken to, was answered with Insolence By the Macfadens
(a small Colony of them having arrived after James got to be
Chemist at the Refinery).
The Refinerys Monthly Paysheets was at hand and on examining
It was found that 320 Tons of Tar was Certified byj Macfaden to
have been received during the Year ending 31 January 1868 Which
Cost at Creed Works ^1130 add Carting, Chemicals etc at the
Refinery. [The Paysheets was made up Monthly for Creed and
Refinery, Allocated, Exports and imports shown.] [Mr Gaunter
acting as Paymaster for which he was most sutable and since Dr
Paul left was wholly responsible to Sir James for the whole works.]
[Donald Munro, Factor to Sir James to show his displeasure at
what he called the Irish Colony of Macfadens and Friends employed
on several occations sent their pay in a seperate Bag.] This des¬
tressing result as he said in his over Confidence in unworthy Men
and now his suspicion of Foul dealings from first was confirmed.
Asked for My Advice to him under this serious State of affairs in
which he found himself Which I did in writing next Morning
(see next page [i.e. below]). Left him late at Night, Pouring out
Bolts of excomunication on the Irish Cleque and Confederates, The
whole lot was to be Cleared off Bag and Baggage from the refinery.
A Chemist was to be got as should at First. This Burst of anger
led to a relapse of Gout which Kept him in his room for other 8
Days.
[Creed Gate House, 1st March 1868.
H. Gaunter Esqre. Dear Sir, sorry for your distress. The result of
misplaced confidence in Men who from first took advantage of the
trust you gave them to enrich themselves being by you allowed for
6 years to supply the Villages both sides of the Broad Bay and other
places with Parifine oil, Cash sales at the Works without check.
See how they got you to upset the Lubracating and Antifouling
Grease, and again to refuse the sale of Tar direct from Creed to the