Journal Entry – William Hooper – 22 May 1833

Wednesday May 22nd 1833



I this morning received a communication from Mr Fenwick stating that Robinson of Needlesshall Farm had failed in bringing security for the payment of his debt by instalments, but that he was willing to enter into a cognovit for the payment of the debt by five instalments as follows, viz £40 at Lammas next, £40 at Martinmas next, £80 at May 1834, £80 at Martinmas 1834, and £74.0.1 at May 1835, to which Mr Fenwick advised our acceding to, as the best that can be done under the circumstances. I have, of course, consented to this, tho’ I fear the Hospital must lose the greater part of it.



Had a conference with Mr Lee of the Hudgill Mill Company to adjust the terms of letting the small farms belonging to the Mills, but I am a little puzzled as to the best and most proper course to pursue with Mr Mulcaster, who I understand wishes to remain in the House he occupies, and whom I am certainly very unwilling to disturb. 



The Lessee of the Colliery having finally agreed to the Draft Lease, I returned it to Mr Fenwick to prepare the legal instrument. Mr F had omitted to include the Small Farms, to which I have called his attention.



I received a communication from the Hexham Road Trustees this morning, by which I found my interview with Mt Leadbetter had done some good, tho’ not all that I had desired. The Trustees in the minute now sent me, admit their liability to £55 which they had before disclaimed, and acknowledge that they are indebted to the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital the sum of £658.19.6, which they propose to pay by ten yearly instalments.

The amount of my claim was £104.6.6 more than this, but I felt exceedingly well satisfied in having obtained the admission I now hold. Had the Trustees consented to allow the whole sum of £300.6.0 which the Hospital has paid in compensation to the Tenants and the 6/a rood for the 1544 roods of Fence, in all £763.6.0, I should have felt it right to accept the payment of it by Instalments, so as not to embarrass the Trust, nor would it have been an object with me to exact interest – but if they decline dealing thus honourably with the Hospital, I can, with their admission of a debt of £658.19.6 in my hands, insist upon its immediate payment, or an arrangement by which regular interest shall be paid in addition to the instalments, and the course I now mean to pursue is to give the Trustees the alternative of acting as Gentlemen and receiving liberality from the Hospital; or else to accept their own sum as the admitted debt, and demand their undertaking to pay interest in addition to the instalments.