A letter from Isle of Man's Lieutenant Governor Dawson to Governor Smith expressing concern about the Duke of Atholl's planned visit to the island on 13 June 1788. Dawson fears public adulation of the Duke will undermine Crown authority and requests advance notice of any instructions from the Secretary of State regarding the visit.
Lieutenant Governor R. Dawson reports to his superior on a dispute over possession of the court room in Douglas. The Duke of Atholl's agent claims the room on behalf of the Duke, but Dawson argues it was surrendered to the Crown under the Vesting Act and should remain in royal possession until legal title is demonstrated. The letter details how the room fell into the Seneschal's hands through an informal arrangement with the Clerk of the Rolls.
Official report from Lieutenant Governor Richard Dawson to the Secretary of State (Lord Suffolk) certifying the establishment of a flax and hemp refining manufactory on the Isle of Man by the Baroness Aichelburg in December 1777. The report includes details of personnel, imported materials, and exports, reflecting post-Revestment economic development and industrial initiatives on the island.
Official report from Lieutenant Governor Richard Dawson to Secretary of State Lord Suffolk certifying the establishment and operation of a flax and hemp refinery on the Isle of Man in 1777-1778. The report documents the arrival of the Baroness Aichelburg with 25 workers, the acquisition of land and buildings, production statistics, and workforce attrition, providing evidence of early industrial development on the Island post-Revestment.
A letter from Lieutenant Governor Richard Dawson to Secretary of State Lord Suffolk dated 31 October 1778, reporting on the critical arrears in payment to civil officers on the Isle of Man. Dawson details the cascading consequences of the unpaid salaries and requests priority payment of revenue officers' salaries to relieve the situation. This document illuminates post-Revestment governance challenges and fiscal management of the island.
Report from Lieutenant Governor Richard Dawson to Secretary of State Lord Suffolk regarding three years of unpaid salaries for Isle of Man's civil establishment officers. Dawson explains the administrative and financial crisis caused by arrears, requests priority payment to civil officers over contingent expenses, and notes the damage to government dignity and officer morale. The letter reflects post-Revestment tensions regarding revenue collection, officer compensation, and governance sustainability.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor Charles Smelt to J. King (Home Office) dated 14 September 1805, requesting financial support for government house expenses, salary adjustment, and permission to establish a garden at the castle. Includes postscript listing Isle of Man volunteer and fencible corps strength (1,177 total). Administrative record of post-Revestment governance and military preparedness.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor Castletown Smelt to J King at the Home Office, reporting his return to the Isle of Man and requesting financial adjustments including quarterly salary payments, an Inspectorate of Volunteers appointment, and funds to establish a garden at the castle. Includes militia strength returns for the island.
Official correspondence from Lieutenant Governor Smelt to Home Secretary Lord Sidmouth regarding a dispute over the appointment of surgeon to the Governor's household on the Isle of Man. The letter details Smelt's 1812 appointment of Dr John Jeffcott and challenges the Duke of Atholl's subsequent appointment of H. Oswald in 1813, highlighting constitutional tensions over executive authority and appointment procedures.
Administrative letter from Lieutenant Governor Smelt to Home Secretary Lord Sidmouth regarding the contested appointment of a surgeon to the Isle of Man's Civil Establishment. The dispute arose when Duke of Atholl (Governor-in-chief, then absent) appointed H. Oswald in December 1812, while Smelt had appointed Dr John Jeffcott in March 1812. Highlights tensions between the Governor and Lieutenant Governor over patronage and qualifications.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor Smelt to Lord Viscount Sidmouth reporting on the ruinous state of the House of Keys assembly building and requesting approval for its rebuilding. Includes architectural plans and detailed cost estimate (£1,039 10s) prepared by Thomas Brine, Clerk of Works. Demonstrates post-Revestment governance infrastructure and the condition of Manx parliamentary institutions in the early 19th century.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor Charles Smelt to Home Secretary Lord Viscount Melbourne, dated 14 November 1832, in which Smelt requests continued employment as Governor in Chief due to ill health and financial circumstances. The document includes contemporary obituary notice from the Manx Sun announcing Smelt's death on 28 November 1832 after 27 years service as Lieutenant Governor. Contextualizes post-Revestment governance and the administrative continuity of the Island following the 1765 purchase of sovereignty.
A letter from Lieutenant Governor Colonel Charles Smelt to Home Office minister Lord Viscount Melbourne, dated 14 November 1832, requesting appointment as Governor in Chief due to declining health and financial hardship after 27 years of service. The letter reveals tensions between official salary and living costs for the Crown's representative. Includes contemporary obituary noting his death 14 days later.
Official correspondence from Lieutenant Governor Smelt to the Home Office under-secretary regarding the military garrison on the Isle of Man post-Revestment (1765). Discusses the necessity of maintaining troops for revenue collection support, harbour security during herring fishing season, and proposes improvements to barracks facilities. Provides insight into civil-military relations and police deficiencies on the Island.
Official correspondence from Lieutenant Governor Charles Smelt to Phillips at the Home Office regarding the permanent military presence in the Isle of Man following the 1765 Revestment. Smelt assesses military necessity, discusses garrison duties (revenue protection, herring season fisheries enforcement), criticizes deficient police structures, and proposes barracks accommodation improvements for the 74th and 80th Regiment depots.
Letter from Lieutenant Governor Charles Smelt to Under-Secretary of State Phillips reporting on House of Keys concerns about illegal importation of ~30,000 gallons of illicit spirits from France by merchant John Burrow, and the broader impact of smuggling and fraudulent warehousing on Isle of Man's reputation and revenue. Contextualizes post-Revestment governance challenges and customs enforcement.
Lieutenant Governor Smelt reports to the Under-Secretary of State on the House of Keys' concerns regarding illegal spirit imports from France and grain warehousing schemes that have damaged revenue and the Island's reputation. The letter discusses a smuggling operation by John Burrow and customs enforcement challenges, reflecting post-Revestment governance and revenue protection issues.
Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Smelt to Under Secretary of State Beckett responding to complaints and accusations made by the Duke of Atholl to Home Secretary Sidmouth. The letter addresses disputes over the Government House at Castle Rushen, including its repair, occupation, access, and the constitutional position of the Lieutenant Governor versus the Duke's residual claims. The correspondence illuminates post-Revestment tensions between Crown authority and the Duke's lingering interests on the Isle of Man.
Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Governor Smelt to Under Secretary of State Beckett (17 May 1813) responding to complaints from the Duke of Atholl about the Government House at Castle Rushen, residence arrangements, and access to the Chancery Court. Covers disputes over accommodation, repair grants, and jurisdictional tensions between the Duke and the Crown's representative on the Island post-Revestment.
Lieutenant Governor who testified before the 1792 Commissioners and readmitted the clergy to Tynwald — calling their sixteen-year exclusion a 'Singularity.' Overruled his own Attorney General to do it. His letter to the Commissioners contained the story of John Tear, the poor labourer of Garff who won his case in Manx courts only to have it overturned on appeal to London. Shaw reported that 'since 1776 the necessaries of life have more than doubled in price, some of them trebled' while wages had not moved.
Lieutenant-Governor Richard Dawson reports to Lord North on the poor state of repair of military buildings at Castle Rushen, Isle of Man, including barracks, governor's house, ordnance storehouse, and guard house. He requests Parliamentary funding for necessary repairs and replacement of defective barrack beds and bedding before winter. The report highlights post-war budget constraints affecting the island's military infrastructure.
Report from Lieutenant-Governor Dawson to Lord North (September 1783) concerning the deteriorating condition of military buildings at Castle Rushen, Isle of Man, including barracks, governor's house, ordnance storehouse, and guard house. Dawson requests funding for necessary repairs and replacement of barrack bedding and furniture before winter, following a refusal by the Board of Ordnance to authorize expenditure due to lack of Parliamentary appropriation.
Lieutenant Governor who wrote to London in October 1778 that 'the non payment of the civil Establishment and its being near three years in arrear is productive in every Department of such bad consequences.' The Island was by then generating more revenue than it cost to govern — but the surplus went to London while the officials on the Island went unpaid. Revenue extracted, governance unfunded. Dawson also warned that the smuggling trade had functioned as a non-aggression pact with France.
Charles Lutwidge, newly appointed Receiver General of the Isle of Man, petitions the Treasury Lords for a salary. The memorial notes his appointment following the Revestment Acts and his role in implementing customs enforcement and halting illicit trade. It documents his commission date (22 June 1765) and the timeline of his arrival on the island (28 May 1765).
Charles Lutwidge informs the Lords of the Treasury that the Keys of Mann have enacted their first statutes since the 1765 Revestment, including one on spirituous liquor licensing that may affect Crown revenue. He requests that authentic copies be obtained before Royal Assent is granted, noting the absence of an Attorney General to protect Crown interests.
