Reference: HO 98/68
Description: Smelt to Lord Sidmouth re Appointment 

    of Surgeon to the Household
Source URL: https://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/history/homeoffc/ho68139a.htm
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HO 98/68 - Smelt to Sidmouth -10 Sep 1813
[From Home Office File HO 98/68]
Lt Govr Smelt to Lord Sidmouth re Appointment of Surgeon to the Household
Castle Rushen Isle of Man
10 Sept 1813
My Lord
The employment of Surgeon to the Household on the Civil Establishment of the
Island having become vacant by the Death of the late Dr J. N. Scott, I appointed
to that situation in March 1812 (the Duke of Atholl being then absent) Doctor
John Jeffcott, a Gentleman eminently qualified to perform the Duties of Surgeon
& Physician from having served 22 years in the former capacity in the Royal
Navy, and having also had great experience as a Physician.
It has always been deemed indispensibly the above employment should be a Physician,
& in every instance since the Establishment took place, the Person holding
it has been so qualified.
Upon the arrival of the Duke of Atholl at this Island in December 1812, His
Grace thought proper to appoint Mr
H Oswald to the Office of Surgeon to the Household, who came to this island
with His Grace at the above period from Edinburgh & who had as I am informed
just finished his apprentice[] to a Surgeon in that Town.
Mr Oswald being established in the business of a Surgeon at Douglas in this
Island, and is ten miles from the Seat of Government, & not being qualified
as all his predecessors have been, to give Medical [Assistance] it is not possible
that, I or my family can derive any benefit from his appointment has therefore
availed myself upon all occassions of the services of Dr Jeffcott, whose appointment
from me, I consider to have been perfectly regular, as all the vacancies that,
have hitherto occurred in the Office, have been filled up by, the Governor or
Lieut Governor for the time being.
I would not have troubled your Lordship with this statement had not the Receiver
General of the Island conceived it to be his duty to withhold from both these
Gentlemen the payment of salary annexed to the situation of Surgeon to the Household,
until it might be signified by your Lordship to which of them it might be due.
I have the honour therefore to request your Lordships directions on the subject.
I have &c
added note by Sidmouth's office: Acqt the Lt Govr with Ld Smths pleasure that
in the absence of the D? he appoint a fit & proper person to be surgeon
and to transmit the name of the person he appoints for Ld Sidmouths information
Notes
The relationship between the Duke of Atholl (Governor-in-chief) and Lt Governor
Smelt never got any better than very bad and as Smelt wrote to Sidmouth in December
1813 confirming his appoint of Jeffcott, Atholl took it as a personal slight
and applied pressure on Jeffcott, for example by querying his naval career.
Jeffcott resigned in July 1814 and Atholl then being on Island appointed Oswald
in his place.Jeffcott died in 1824.
Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor
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