Journal entry – John Grey – 27 Mar 1834

Thursday 27th March



Having had Notice from the Secretary of the Railway Company that they wished the line through Capons Cleugh to be set out & the Wood which might be in the way of it to be cut down, I sent Mr Parkin along with their Agent yesterday to ascertain what quantity of wood must be cleared for the purpose, & find from him today, that owing to the steepness of the Bank a great deal of ground must be taken up to obtain the necessary slope, and that besides the full grown timber, a good deal of young wood must be removed which is not of sufficient growth to sell it to advantage.  I therefore wrote to the Secretary proposing that the Company should purchase the whole of the Wood which it might be necessary to remove, by the valuation of Persons mutually chosen, as I had no authority to cut down so much Wood without knowing where I should find a Market for it.  I do not discover that any stipulation has been made with the Railway Company, respecting the value of the Wood, but think it only right that they should pay the full value of it, sh’d any loss accrue.   I accompanied Mr Parker to mark out for Sale, several Ash Trees of full growth upon the Bank near the ruin of Dilston, which will not improve by standing, & if judiciously removed will not injure the appearance of that romantic spot.  Also went with Mr Hunt along the Tyne Banks to see what might yet be necessary for the future security of the Shores of the River.   I deferred filling up the Plantation on the Tyne Banks this Season, for having sold a fall of Wood in the same Ground, the young trees would have been injured by removing it, & the whole will be cleared for planting together in the Spring of 1835.