152 Estate Management in the Eighteenth Century. 



their farms, the Curator gave the following order to Mr John 

 Story, the Marquis's factor: — 



(As engrossed in Minute Book.) 



" Hopetoun House, 8th April, 1772. 

 " Sir, — As many of the tenants' houses on the estate of 

 Annandale are in a ruinous condition, and as great advances of 

 the rents were made by the present possessors at the last set 

 upon the faith that the houses would be repaired for them, which 

 it could not be expected they should do on their own charges, 

 especially considering the shortness of the leases, I hereby em- 

 power you to employ proper tradesmen to rebuild or repair all 

 the said houses where you find necessary in a sufficient manner, it 

 being always understood that the walls are to be built of stone and 

 lime, or, at least of stone and clay cast with lime, but none of 

 stone and fail, and that the timber is to be furnished from the 

 Marquis's woods, as far as they can afford it, and in every respect 

 observing the greatest economy consistent with the work being 

 effectually done and in the proper seasons. I likewise under- 

 stand that the carriages are to be performed by the tenants them- 

 selves, except it has been otherwise covenanted at the set, and 

 likewise that they are to uphold the houses in time coming. — 



I am, etc., 



" (Signed) Hopetoun. 



" To Mr John Story, factor." 



" In consequence of this encouragement a considerable num- 

 Der of very good' houses were built upon the estate, but it was 

 found that the Marquis's woods, which began to be much ex- 

 hausted, could not furnish the proper timber for building houses, 

 and, therefore, it Avas found necessary to buy timber from other 

 woods of the country when it could be got, and also foreign 

 timber, which in some cases was found to be cheaper and to 

 answer the purpose better." 



So far I have been dealing with commonplace routine work 

 on an estate about 150 years ago. I am glad, however, I can 

 introduce at least one interesting chapter, for I have always 

 noticed that people are keen to hear anything that concerns 

 Gretna Green or smugglers and smuggling. 



At all events, the following report shows how the direct 

 influence of the smuggling "trade" was brought to bear upon 

 the management of the affairs of an estate on the Sohvav shore :— 



