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

1811-1816
217
real value, have time to ascertain the situation of the Coal (of its
extent there appears no doubt), and you will be able to judge by
what is produced of the fair return to be expected. The works are in
high order and very neat, quite compact, the lower people have
taken to burning Coal, inshort there is nothing wanting but to ascer¬
tain the particulars I allude to, of care of working and continuance
of finding it at a cost which can afford a sale fitted to what the
People who buy it can give. There is a great eagerness to obtain it
on all the coast, Inverness, Cromarty, Aberdeen etc. Pray send us
Instructions, I am glad we came here to see clearly how it is.
I asked Young to tell me the sum total you have expended on
Coal works and the Cottages and buildings belonging to the con¬
cern. He is to give me the detail, but he says it is within 14,000
and from what we hear we conclude at the worst 10 per Cent will
be got from the money. Now pray observe that we are representing
all this in the least favourable possible view but we thought it right
to let you know every thing exactly as we heard and saw it, and me
void aufond de I’encrier. We shall go again to Brora tomorrow mor¬
ning to expiscate further unless it is very fine and we are tempted to
go to Morwich.
Sellar has been paying the publick burthens out of the Whitsun¬
tide rents, and 1,000^ to Young. I am to have a day with him soon
on accounts, rentals etc. This Estate will produce this year ^10,000
clear, the rental about £20,000. The improvements beginning to
repay, and nothing more but what is very trifling in that way now
remaining, this rental will be increased after the present year. The
improvements really are astonishing both with regard to appearance
and the disposition of the People in the neighbourhood of them.
There are still five or six of the steady Sutherland People working
at the Coal. Pray make Charlotte read this letter over to you if you
want to hear it more than once, to save Pies, which I hope are now
quite restored. I have not sneezed once.
I wish Farcy’s Map and observations could be sent here. Miller
wishes to see them. They can come by the Brough Head by sea.