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

220 SUTHERLAND ESTATE MANAGEMENT : CORRESPONDENCE
over he ought to have a smaller Sailary, which appears very fair but
for another year I do not think it would be well to alter it as he
certainly is as busy as possible and will continue so for that time at
least in putting all things on their established footing.
Friday morning: fine day, rather windy.
I was very glad to receive Charlotte’s of the 2d last night, and to
hear how all was going on at Richmond and of Vernons and Mac¬
donalds. You will begin to hate the sight of my Letters, they must
be so tiresome with all this Coal.
1st. I have had a Tete a Tete with Sellar this morning and have
read his rentals - all perfection like Bradshaw’s, and as neat. I inclose
an abstract and shall bring the rest with me. I had some private con¬
versation with him respecting the real state of the Coal. His idea is
that the Coal in the hands of Persons who are used to coal and have
an interest in it, and are fitted to undertake the management them¬
selves will turn out well, and afford a good rent to the proprietor
and a profit to the managers, but that where it is under the pro¬
prietor he does not think it possible to get the overseers to turn it
to the same account. He said he thought if Hughes, aided by Young’s
Capital undertook it, it would be very desirable provided the offer
appeared reasonable. Young is just gone down with Hughes to
Brora and Sellar with him. Young wants to get his offer and then
he will send over in the packet to a Mr Jack a Salter who Young
says would manage the Salt work, for they must have a salt work to
inrich the concern as they say they would look to greater profit
from Salt than Coal. Sellar says that when Bald came and gave his
report, he said Pritchards men were not doing half what the Alloa
Colliers would do; now the Alloa Colliers are here it appears they
do not half what was expected, and he says if he were placed in the
Pit as Overseer he should not know how to direct so as to remedy
this. Sellar has not himself been employed or consulted in the Coal,
so what he says is merely from his own observation. He therefore
says he thinks that by getting Hughes who is very indefatigible
engaged in the concern by his own Interest being engaged in it, it
will go on very differently. He says he can answer for it no zeals or
pains was wanting in Young, for he was as if his whole substance
was engaged in it all along, but not being a Collier himself, he
could not personally direct these People. I will send you Miller’s