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

108 SUTHERLAND ESTATE MANAGEMENT: CORRESPONDENCE
or 1812 if your Ladyship would prefer that to removing Mrs
McLeod Sooner; Altho certainly in point of prudence the Sooner
the better. In the meantime on your expressing your approval
one of us will Cross over first packet and take measures to Check
the further depredations of the Sea. If your Ladyship dissapprove,
you should write Mr Falconer to secure the Soil; for every Storm,
washes away a portion of it, and has we are Sure reduced the marsh
in Size very much, in the lapse of ages.
William Young to Earl Gower (later 2nd Duke of
Sutherland)
Inverugie by Elgin, 23 November 1809
Your Lordships letters of 10th and nth to Mr Sellar and myself
reached this when I was in Sutherland settling our first Servant, and
arranging an embankment at Loch Lundy to correct the water from
further injuring the low lands of Culmaily where it has already done
too much mischief, and we also begin our Canal immediately.
Be assured My Lord that no apology is necessary for what I have
done or may undertake for your Lordship.
As to Achavandra I am aware your Lordship coud only have one
motive for thinking of it - the comfort of the people. It is with that
view only that I have so much recommended it, but your Lordship
will perceive by the plans sent that it is on the adjoining Moors
where I propose settlements for the Cottagers. On these, abundant
scope will be found for their industry while an establishment of
Servants and Horses on the Farm may be of infinite use to the new
Colony in carrying Lime, Coals, timber etc. from the Ferry.
I do not think that any instructions for Mr Falconer are at all
requisite Just now about laying in materials, for nothing can be
done untill Spring, neither is it necessary to send any implements
from the South. Few will be wanted and they can be got here.
I can easily get plenty of Grieves, but I must endeavour to find a
person with qualifications beyond the ordinary, for under proper
directions he must not only assist in laying out ground for the
Cottagers but in seeing it trenched and manured agreeable to
Contract, in having a watchfull eye over their conduct, encouraging
the industrious and stigmatizing the Sloven!