Journal entry – John Grey – 12 Jun 1834

?Thursday 12th June



Received the Boards Minutes of the 31st May & the Secretaries Letter of the 10th June, informing me of the Admiralties approval of the appointment of Mr Fenwick & Mr Bainbridges as Court Keeper & Solicitors for the Hospital in their respective districts, to whom I communicated the particulars regarding their respective appointments.  I instructed Mr Fenwick at the same time, to enquire into the Grounds of Mr Spencer’s claim to the Threshing Machine at Buteland, and sent him MSS Draft of the term of Lease, with the request that he would give it an attentive perusal & be prepared to discuss it with me at an early day.  The Miller of Dilston having offered no terms of compromise,  & manifested a most contumacious disposition refusing to make my payment, although he is said to have money by him, it became necessary today to proceed to a Sale of the effects, pursuant to Notice.  After selling enough to satisfy the Hospitals claims up to Mayday last, he proposed to continue selling till every thing he had should be disposed of.  I protested against such conduct, and refused to be accessory to it, by allowing the Auctioneer I had employed to proceed.  He however found another and persisted.  What he intends to do after disposing of all his furniture, I cannot devise.  There is Corn as well as Hay growing on the Land, but they may be disposed of before we can claim another half years rent.  On which case there will be nothing for it but to attack his person & he is understood to have some property.   His conduct I think would induce suspicion that he labors under partial derangement.  It is hardly likely that a Tenant could be found for the Mill at this Season, but if there could, he has not relinquished his agreement, but says he means to lock the Doors and leave it so.