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

109
1807-1811
Your Lordship may rest satisfied that nothing in my power to
promote your views will be neglected, but I cannot too much
express my anxious wish that Lady Stafford and your Lordship
may make it convenient to be North early next Season, for although
it may occassion some short delay I woud be better pleased to post¬
pone any operations untill her Ladyship and your Lordship are on
the Spot, we coud discusss many things in conversation which
cannot be so well comprehended in correspondence and have a
better chance of coming near to perfection. Mr Sellar and I wrote
Lady Stafford by this post concerning Morvich and I am glad to
inform your Lordship that there is no obstacle to our plans there.
I mean the proposed trade to Strathfleet, and I hope we shall soon
shew the people of that Country flax growing and Coals burning
there and the advantage of both; while they go on spending the
best part of the Season in Mosses, improvement is out of the
question.
A harbour at Golspie I view as a most necessary improvement for
the prosperity of Sutherland, and as a preferable situation to
Helmsdale or Brora, although I have only seen the latter place.
But perhaps we are not at one as to Harbours. Extensive works or
j much deepth of water are not wanted for pushing Agriculture and
! Manufactures, as Vessells of 60 Tons or under and ten feet water
are quite sufficient for the export of Grain, the import of Coals,
Salt and other bulky articles, while the Manufactured and lighter
goods of which one Cargo may not be wanted in a Season will
come more properly by the London, Leith and Aberdeen traders to
Burghead, and over periodically by the Packet. I have brought over
a Parish of Lairg man with me who never before had crossed the
[i Muckel Ferry, he at one time occupied a small Farm but is now
turned stone dyke builder. I have given him ground to trench along
with my own people, and hope to make him usefull in the Acha-
vandra Moors, he is quite delighted with the work going on here,
and the comfort which my Villagers seem to live in. I have hinted
at your Lordships intentions, he likes the plan, talks of becoming a
settler, and thinks the people will be more comfortable than on
small Farms; I have offered him piece work and said that he may
bring over a dozen more of the Sutherland men to work under him
during winter.