Journal entry – John Grey – 17 Nov 1834

Monday 17th November 1834



Informed Messrs Crile & Co that their offer for the Hartburngrainge Coal had been accepted by the Commissioners, a copy of which I forwarded to them, authorizing them to commence operations.   Mr Harle the Tenant of West Millhills, who had declined the offer of his Farm at £250.-.- came again today, & we eventually agreed,  after much discussion, at £246.  It would have been a pitty to lose so good a Tenant.  The tenants of Hartburngrainge neither having come nor replied to my Letters, I thought it best to dispatch Mr Hunt to see them, that if they declined taking their Farms upon the terms offered, I might add them to the Advertizement I was preparing for the others. 



I regret to learn that Mr Brown, who succeeded to the share of Scremerston Colliery, formerly held by Mr Sibbit, & who, having been involved with parties who have lately failed in Newcastle & others on the Coal Exchange in London, & has himself become Bankrupt in consequence, has been unwarantably drawing upon the Owners of the Colliery, involved the real Lessee Major Johnson, in considerable loss and difficulty.   The history of the transaction I believe to be this -  Sibbit failed to make good his share of the advances for winning & establishing the present Colliery, which was carried forward by Johnson till his claim against Sibbit, came to a large amount.   Sibbit’s interest in the concern was eventually transferred to Johnson by arrangement, after having been placed in Chancery.   Johnson again transferred it to Brown, for a certain consideration, who at that time was thought to be an eligible Partner, but instead of paying Johnson in Cash he induced him to take a share of several Ships, which they were to employ in carrying their Coals to Market.  This was an improvident bargain, as Shipping property has been over since the decline, & freights have been very low, & now that he would wish to realise money upon the Ships he cannot, because Brown’s Creditors have an interest in them.  I am told both by Johnson & a relation of his, whose information I thought I could depend upon , & therefore applied for, that he expects soon to surmount the difficulty.



There is little doubt that the Stock on the Colliery & farms, though he should have no other resource, is enough to indemnify the Hospital, but I think it right to put the Board in possession of the information I have on the Subject, in case they should think it necessary to have an account & value of the  Stock taken, or to require security for the Rents due - at present it would not be advisable to do anything that would expose the situation of the Lessee and destroy his Credit, except upon a conviction of the absolute necessity of using such means for the security of the Hospital.