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

1811-1816
153
that if he is not to act in concert with him, but to be going on in a
correspondence with me contrary to Young’s ideas and without his
acquiescence, there will be no end of it. Therefore if this goes on
Sellar had better retire with his Farm of Culmaily, and he may
perhaps take the branch of the Bank1 proposed, and his place
Young may get a good Clerk for ^100 per Annum, instead of
^225 and we be all of us as well off. I take Sellar to be tolerably
keen about his own interest.
I think Sellar seems to be a clever writer and accountant, and very
zealous, but I should think perhaps at times too much so without
direction. Perhaps if you were to get Macpherson Grant as his
friend to tell him at once that we consider him in fact as only
subordinate to Young and not an independent Factor, that might
be of use in making him keep within bounds.
As Sellar wrote to me about Marches he can tell you what I
answered, but I write to him understanding that he communicates
the business part to Young. He cannot show my Letter as part is an
answer to his about Young’s nephew etc. and recommending to
him to cooperate with Mr Young. You will do about all this and
everything else as you see best.
It is very good Gilchrist going to Law with Dempster2-just
what the Child3 said, ‘That Gilchrist will put himself forward and
take the expence and trouble of the Lawsuit etc.’ He has exactly
done it like an angel. Lord Stafford’s eyes are getting quite well.
I inclose the Premiums4 for Mr Young to you.
If 1 write anything to these People you dont approve you have
full powers to correct it and say so.
I have written to Sellar as follows.
T shall be glad to see a continuation of your Journals etc, and
have no doubt you will put every thing in your department in
excellent order. I perfectly understand your wish to have your own
department defined; at the same time as we have the fullest con¬
fidence in Mr Young’s abilities and judgement in the general
management of our affairs, I must beg you to communicate what is
1 Attempts were being made to persuade the British Linen Company to open a
branch in Golspie.
2 Concerning marches between Ospisdale and Skibo (see also below, p. 156).
3 From other references, apparently the Marquis himself.
4 Crop premiums offered by the Board of Agriculture.