Journal entry – John Grey – 14 Apr 1834

Monday 14th April 1834



Heard from the Rail Way Co. that they had agreed to my Proposal that the Wood to be cut in Capons Cleugh should be valued jointly by Mr Walton on their part & Mr Parkin on ours, they two having the power to appoint an umpire if they think fit.  I expect that the value of the wood will be £200 or upwards.  Heard also from Mr Beaumonts Agent that he had paid to my Credit £94.7.11 for Andw Thorburn & £53.6.9 for Mark Maughan, on account of their carriage of Ore, for which I had obtained their orders.  Maughan paid besides £65 of his Arrear last week, so that we shall get clear with him.   He & his family are most industrious & desirous of doing well.  Thorburn also paid £25, but he will have greater difficulty.  However I must work it out as well as I can.  I was detained at home most of the day by the arrival of Major Johnson, who entered into fruitless discussions upon the subject of his various claims real or supposed, as contained in a Letter which I herewith send.  With no part of which I could have any thing to do, or pass any opinion upon, save the two last items, for money expended in repairing the old water Level, which I was aware would prove an expensive, as it was a dangerous & most disagreeable work, & one which it was difficult to get men to undertake.   On this head I examined Johnsons under viewer, at Scremerston, who had himself explored the Level & made his way through the rubbish & fallen Arch, with great difficulty.  Some of the charges in the Account delivered seemed to me to be high & I decided upon submitting them to Mr Fenwick’s inspection, as he is acquainted with the kind of Work before allowing them. Our discussion terminated by his consenting to pay into the Banks to my Credit £437.10.0 as the half years rent due, for which I shall give them a receipt, when I find the payment has been made, leaving the Balance till he can have some communication with the Board on the subject of his claims.   All Sea Sale Collieries are now subject to heavy Losses & labouring under great Depression, and I suspect it is found that in the present state of the Market, the coarse Coal of Scremerston is not a remunerating article.