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

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for this is, that I suspected I saw in the Country so general a feeling
of their never having been very productive that no pains will be taken
to render them so, something of this feeling may also arise from a wish
that they should not be collected. A Man of Sellar’s sharpness and
accuracy would however make them pay well, and by enforcing the
law strictly from the beginning much future plague and trouble is
avoided. Major Clunes has to look after the Helmsdale bar, but 1 have
no faith in any highland Laird being very active on this score unless
he has Money lent upon the Credit of the tolls. May I point out to
Your Lordship that the finishing every Job before another is begun
is an essential in which all our Countrymen fail. I would instance here
the want of many little things about the coping stones on the Mains
Farm offices. These are minute things and though necessary for the
safety as well as the look of the buildings are most apt to be put off
from day to day and at last entirely forgot. I do not know how far I
am justified in troubling Your Lordship with such details but my
anxiety to see every thing as perfect as possible made me presume to
do so. If it were to be Your Lordships wish 1 could state them to Mr
Young whose good sense would make him see their propriety though
he might call them English niceities. 1 believe I could extend my re¬
marks to him.
There is just one other thing upon which I will venture to intrude
my opinion, which is to beg of Your Lordship if it should not inter¬
fere with any of Your Lordship’s plans, is before much more Money
is expended at Brora Harbour to Call in the advice of Telford or some
other experienced Engineer. I should fail in my duty iff did not state,
that in all cases where so large an expenditure is about to be incurred,
it appears to me to be the only safe way of proceeding. My first step
would be to have an accurate survey of the River from the Bridge
to Low Water Mark laid down upon a large Scale with the Soundings
at low Springs, mentioning the rise of the Tide, the Course of the
Currants, the Manner in which the tide flow’s and ebb’s, together
with the prevailing winds, and marking on the plan also the proposed
improvements. With these steps an able Engineer would be able in a
little time to say whether the plan would be effectual and would also
be able to make it the part of a greater one if a more extended com¬
merce should hereafter require it, and in this as in the execution of
the Mound Your Lordship cannot press to strongly the propriety of