Journal entry – John Grey – 10 Feb 1835

Tuesday 10th



Robert Curry the unfortunate Tenant of Eadsbush came this morning to inform me that he had failed in obtaining the security I had required, in allowing him to continue in the farm & signed a resignation of his agreement.  Upon which I wrote to inform Mr Crawhall that he might have an opportunity of making an offer for it, which I understand he was desirous of doing.  Thinking that if he should propose to give an adequate Rent, the Commiss.rs might be inclined to treat with him, rather than lose time by advertising it at this late period.  I calculated the quantities of the different kinds of Grass Seeds that are wanted to sew off some parcels of Ground for permanent Pasture, which according to agreement, are to be purchased by the Hospital, & sent the order for them to a Seedsman in Surrey, who has long been in the habit of serving me with an excellent article.  The best kind of perennial Rye Grass is, I think, raised on the Tweed, & I bought a parcel of it when over there, partly for this purpose & partly to supply such of the Tenants as begin to take an interest in improving their artificial Grasses.  The quantity is but small which the Hospital will have to purchase this season.  Went to Hexham to attend a meeting of the Alston Road Trust.  It is now apparent that the Roads of that Trust were left in so bad a state by the late Surveyor, so thin of metal & so low in the centre, that notwithstanding the great reduction of Salaries this year, it has been found necessary to apply such a quantity of material, that the Funds are rather in a worse condition than before. Nor do I see for two years to come any chance of improvement in them, though I do anticipate considerable improvement in the strength & formation of the Roads.  But by the time that can be effected, the operation of the Railway will have produced an effect upon some branches of the Road, which in my opinion, will reduce the passages so much as to render it unprofitable to collect a Toll upon them.  It is time the expense of maintaining such parts will be lessened in an equal degree with the passage & if the outlay of repairs were the only thing  to be provided for, the one would be equivalent to the other, but how is the Interest of the immense capital to be discharged?   On these branches, we shall now do only what is absolutely necessary, but through the whole of the Alston country, the roads must be maintained & strengthened.  I am strongly of opinion that the only return the subscribers will ever obtain for their capital, will be that derived from the improved state  of the Country; by the facilities given to the transport of its produce, & the reduced expense at which it is effected.  And that is certainly an object of great importance to Proprietors.  At Hexham I had some Hand Bills printed & sent to Wark for distribution announcing the intention of letting the Pasture Field adjoining the Glebe there, & requiring offers to be sent to me by the 21st Instant, which I shall transmit to the Board.  I also wrote to the Rev Isham Baggs informing him of the Boards intention of letting it by Tender.