Series 4 > Papers on Sutherland Estate Management 1802-1816 > Volume 9

77
iSoy-iBn
Year are unusually great, for one Article about X2>500 f°r Road
Money. The property tax also cuts deep and the repairs of Manses
and Kirks. I shall however in May receive the half year fishing rent
which will enable me to remit and by that time Mr Falconer will
be able to say whether he can spare me any Money from
Sutherland.
I delay for a few days making up the precise note of the balance
on Skelbo, in the hope of settling with Mr Gilchrists Agent the
mode of legally discharging his debt1. At the same time I send
such note, I shall send for signature the deed altering the destination
of the property.
William Mackenzie to Marchioness of Stafford
Edinburgh, 16 March 1808
I had the honor yesterday to write to Your Ladyship in answer
to Your Letter of nth Current.
I wrote Your Ladyship last Autumn from Dunrobin Castle that
Mr Falconer and I had subject to your approbation come to an
understanding with Captain Matheson relative to his Sheep which
was to include his Wadset lands and Considerable additional grasings
in the parish of Lairg. He was to receive a Tack for the same
duration with that to be given Atkinson and Marshall - to contain
a break in his option at the end of 8 years - to pay -£400 for the
first 8 years and -£500 a year for the remainder of the lease - the
first year Rent to be allowed for Meliorations. Captain Gordons
Grasings lying in the heart of his range it was agreed that until the
redemption of that Wadset in 1810 he should be allowed a Corre¬
sponding deduction from his rent. Captain Matheson at the
Conference expressed great anxiety to keep his Wadset and that
he would pay if possible the additional Wadset Sum. I then told
him I was much afraid that he could not Manage this in an unexcep¬
tionable Manner, but that he might Consider of it and let me know
in time to take Your opinion. The Captain however never wrote
me on the subject, and seeing that the time approached for the
Whitsunday Arrangements I wrote to Mr Falconer to talk with
1 Part of the outstanding claims on the Skelbo Estate (see above, i, pp. xi-xii).