It was further remarked to the Surveyor in this conversation, that _spit dung_ was specified, and that it was not always to be procured; to which the Surveyor said it was so stated in all leases, meaning that, or an equivalent in other manure. Mr. Elsee again insisted that the dung was as much his property as the hay and corn; and further objected to the expence of the agreement as _unnecessary_, as the Surveyor _knew_ he was ready to quit the farm at any time. The Surveyor, notwithstanding all this, held to his purpose, {27} and pretended that the thing must be done _regularly_; that the whole of the expence would not be more than 60_l._ or 70_l._ that the crown would pay half, and would further give time from Michaelmas 1819, to the following Lady-day, to thrash out the corn, and otherwise dispose of the property to the best advantage—that the crown besides would pay for all _improvements_, _laying down ploughed fields to grass_, _&c._ In spite of these temptations Mr. Elsee refused to sign; had he remained firm in this refusal, and acted upon the advice of his friends, many of whom recommended him not to put himself in the power of the Surveyor by his signature, he might have saved himself some thousands of pounds, and a degree of personal and family anxiety even more to be deplored than his pecuniary loss. {28} In this time the Surveyor had proceeded in his action of ejectment, and as the day for the service of the declaration approached, Mr. Elsee was applied to for his final decision as _to signing the agreement_; and he found himself compelled to submit, even as it was, with a reference to arbitration as to terms, &c. or to close the doors upon all reconciliation, and entail upon his property the disastrous consequences of _a law-suit_, _with the crown for an antagonist_. {29} In this dilemma, the agreement, in an unfortunate moment, _was signed_, and the consequences proved still more mischievous than those which the signing was intended to prevent; Mr. Elsee being soon plunged into the legal embarrassments that it had been his earnest hope, and most anxious desire to avoid, by the very act that involved him. {31}