Letter – George Eden to James Graham – 6 Dec 1832

[on outer leaf:] Lord Auckland to Sir James Graham 6th Decr 1832  Mr Grey’s Appt



Private

B. of T. Novr 6 1832



Dear Graham

	I have had a long interview with Mr Grey who has come up to Town in search of you – He is very anxious to see you and wishes me to ask you whether he could find you in Carlisle or Netherby on his return & when – he wishes to leave London about Tuesday next.

I told him that he had better make up his mind decidedly, before he took such a journey, as to whether it was worth his while to live at Hexham for £800 a year, for I was quite certain that he could make no impression on you in these points – He said that he would consider between this day & Tuesday when he will call for the chance of an answer from you.

	His objections upon other points are of much less importance – He was afraid that no tolerable residence could be found in Hexham and thought that the Commissioners should build a small house for the Receiver. I told him that we may wait for Hooper’s report after he had visited Hexham but that probably a small place might be hired – He wished for some security that he should not be turned out on a change of government – which is not likely, but the security is impossible – and he objected to some of the expressions in the instructions as imposing upon the Receiver too minute an accountability & particularly to the requisition for a daily report of the employment of his time when a more general though regular report of all necessary information would be quite as useful in effect and be less intense & carry with it less the appearance of suspicion & mistrust – In this I am not indisposed to agree with him provided care is taken that the information is fully & substantially given, and in a manner to satisfy the Commissioners that there is no remissness and no tendency to revert to the old system and we may consider whether or not the expressions of the instructions are too stringent.

      I must say that on the whole I was very much pleased with Mr Grey’s manner & appearance & intelligence – Let me know whether he can catch you anywhere in the North – I know of no news which you will not already have heard - Hyde Villiers’ death is very shocking – I have from George today a letter from Paris giving a prosperous account of his commission, Bills for the export of raw Silk & admission of cotton twist are already in the Cambers & the announcement given that the Ministry wish to institute duties for prohibition

      Ever etc

		Auckland