Correspondence from the Duke of Atholl to the Duke of Newcastle regarding Crown proposals to purchase sovereignty of the Isle of Man. The Duke articulates his reluctance to part with this ancient patrimony, but expresses willingness to submit to the King's pleasure if deemed necessary for his service. References earlier negotiations with Sir Robert Walpole, Henry Pelham, and the Duke of Newcastle, and provides details of revenues and constitutional status.
Governor Basil Cochrane reports to the Duke of Atholl on various administrative and commercial matters in the Isle of Man, including disputes with merchant George Moore over harbour access and cargo handling, officer conduct, and infrastructure improvements. The letter illuminates governance tensions between commercial interests and customs enforcement in the pre-Revestment period.
Letter from Governor Basil Cochrane to the Duke of Atholl reporting on disputes with merchant George Moore over land encroachment in Douglas, cargo discharge procedures at Peel, and customs enforcement. Discusses brandy cargoes, harbour capacity, officer conduct, and the need for Keys' consent on harbour improvements. Provides insight into governance, revenue protection, and merchant relations on the Isle of Man in the pre-Revestment period.
Two copies of letters from the Duke of Atholl dated 2 April 1759 to Baron Maule and Lord Mansfield, discussing the Duke's negotiations with the Treasury (West and Martin) regarding the sale of the Isle of Man. References prior proposals to Pelham and Newcastle, seeks advice on negotiation procedure, and requests assistance from Mansfield and the Duke of Argyll in conducting the sale.
Two letters from the Duke of Atholl (2 April 1759) to Baron Maule and Lord Mansfield concerning the proposed sale of the Isle of Man to the Crown. Atholl reports receipt of a letter from the Treasury Lords' agents (Messrs West and Martin) empowering them to receive his sale proposals, and seeks advice from his trusted advisors on negotiation strategy and protocol.
Official letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to the Duke of Atholl, requesting his proposals for the sale of the Isle of Man to the Crown. The letter cites widespread smuggling and revenue fraud as the justification, and notes that both the Irish Revenue Board and English Customs Board believe the island cannot be effectively controlled while in private hands.
Official letter from Treasury officials J West and Samuel Martin to the Duke of Atholl, requesting negotiations for the Crown purchase of the Isle of Man. The letter cites widespread revenue fraud caused by illicit trade to/from the Island and states that the Boards of Revenue (Ireland) and Customs (England) believe effective remedy requires Crown ownership. This is a key early document in the chain leading to the 1765 Revestment.
Letter from Governor Basil Cochrane to the Duke of Atholl reporting on negotiations for the sale of tithes, the management of parish lands, and administrative disputes. Discusses resistance from Lord Derby to reasonable annuity terms, Cochrane's strategy for gradual parish sales, and a court incident with an attorney Stevenson. Reflects pre-Revestment governance challenges and revenue management under ducal sovereignty.
Report from Governor Basil Cochrane to the Duke of Atholl regarding the sale of tithes in the Isle of Man parishes, management of church property, and administrative disputes. Cochrane reports on negotiations with Lord Derby, his strategy for beginning with Santon parish, and an incident of insult in the Court of Chancery. Directly relevant to understanding pre-Revestment governance and revenue management under Atholl proprietorship.
The Duke of Atholl responds to James West (Secretary to the Treasury) regarding the Lords of the Treasury's renewed interest in purchasing the Isle of Man. The Duke indicates he had previously submitted proposals to Mr Pelham (circa 1752) outlining terms for the sale and reaffirms his willingness to proceed on those terms. This correspondence predates the formal 1765 Revestment by a decade, documenting earlier negotiation attempts.
The Duke of Atholl responds to James West (Secretary to the Treasury) regarding Crown interest in renewing negotiations for the purchase of the Isle of Man. Atholl references his previous proposals submitted to Henry Pelham two years earlier (c. 1752) and confirms his willingness to proceed on the terms originally proposed. This document demonstrates early formal interest by the British government in acquiring Manx sovereignty.
Informal letter from Baron Maule to the Duke of Atholl discussing the drafting of an important letter to 'the chief man himself' (possibly a senior government figure), the proposed use of Mr Forrester for negotiations, and the candidacy of Captain John Wood to succeed Governor Cochrane on the Isle of Man. The letter provides insight into the Duke's political networks and the process of appointment to the Manx governorship in the pre-Revestment period.
A letter from Baron Maule to the Duke of Atholl discussing proposed correspondence on Isle of Man matters, the suitability of Mr Forrester for negotiations, and the qualifications of potential candidates (particularly Captain John Wood) to succeed Governor Cochrane. The letter reveals informal networks of influence involving 'two friends' (possibly Lord Mansfield and the Duke of Argyll) advising on Isle of Man affairs before the 1765 Revestment.
A petition from merchants and ship owners of Whitehaven to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury detailing the damage to legitimate trade caused by smuggling from the Isle of Man. The memorial quantifies annual customs losses at £200,000, describes the commodities smuggled (wine, brandy, coffee, tea, silks, tobacco), and proposes purchase of sovereignty or stronger enforcement measures. It addresses impacts on coal and tobacco trades with America and Ireland.
A petition from Whitehaven merchants and ship owners to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury detailing substantial revenue losses (estimated £200,000 annually) from the clandestine trade conducted via the Isle of Man. The memorial argues for Crown purchase of the Island's sovereignty and proposes enhanced naval enforcement measures. It provides crucial contemporary evidence of smuggling's economic impact on legitimate trade and revenue collection.
Treasury official J West informs the Duke of Atholl that merchants from Whitehaven have petitioned against smuggling from the Isle of Man, and that the Treasury Lords wish to renew negotiations for the Crown's purchase of the Island. This is a pivotal early signal of Crown interest in acquiring sovereignty, preceding the 1765 Revestment by eleven years.
Letter from J West at the Treasury to the Duke of Atholl transmitting a memorial from Whitehaven merchants complaining of smuggling from the Isle of Man, and signalling the Crown's desire to renew negotiations for the purchase of the Island. This is an early indication (11 years before the 1765 Revestment Act) of Parliamentary and Treasury interest in acquiring sovereignty over Man to suppress the illicit trade.
Governor Basil Cochrane reports to the Duke of Atholl on a dispute involving John Clarke, Major Christian, and a Mr. Stevenson regarding a warren matter. The letter indicates Clarke has been discharged and Cochrane is providing documentation and a response to a petition, noting Stevenson's encouragement of Clarke's complaints and his controversial reputation locally.
Governor Basil Cochrane reports to the Duke of Atholl on the resolution of disputes involving John Clarke and his wife, Major Christian's death, and a warren matter. The letter discusses a petition forwarded by Mr Stevenson to London and criticises Stevenson's influence on Clarke's complaints. This provides administrative insight into Isle of Man governance and local disputes during Atholl's proprietorship, pre-dating the Revestment by 13 years.
Report from Governor Basil Cochrane to the Duke of Atholl covering administrative matters including remittances to Liverpool (£525), disputes over land claims by Irish gentlemen, ecclesiastical affairs involving the Bishop and tithes, and naturalisation questions. Provides insight into governance, commercial operations, and religious policy on the Isle of Man mid-18th century.
Official report from Governor Basil Cochrane to the Duke of Atholl concerning administrative and financial matters on the Isle of Man, including clergy affairs, tithes, naturalization of Roman Catholics, and remittances to Liverpool. Reflects governance structures and revenue issues in the pre-Revestment period.
A petition to the Bishop of Sodor & Man and the 24 Keys protesting the immigration of Roman Catholics from Ireland to the Isle of Man and requesting suppression of Catholic religious practice. The memorial expresses concerns about Catholic naturalization, intermarriage with Protestants, and potential vulnerability to French invasion. It reflects pre-Revestment tensions over the island's religious governance and sovereignty.
A petition to the Bishop of Sodor & Man and the 24 Keys expressing concern about Catholic immigration from Ireland, the naturalization of Papists, and the potential threat to Protestant interests and British constitutional order. The memorialists question the legal authority for naturalization in the Isle of Man and request legislative action to suppress Popery.
A memorandum recording instructions from the Duke of Atholl to Governor Cochrane regarding fortifications (Castle Rushen, Douglas, Ramsey, Peel, and Derby forts), financial matters (receipt of £4186, coinage orders), administrative appointments (naturalisations, officers), and legal proceedings (appeals commission, Crebbin v. Taubman case). Documents the Duke's direct governance of the Isle of Man prior to the 1765 Revestment.
A memorandum documenting discussions between the Duke of Atholl and Governor Cochrane covering fortifications (Castle Rushen, Douglas, Ramsey, Peel, Derby forts), financial accounts, naturalization of six persons, taxation reforms, and pending legal appeals. Reflects the Duke's administrative oversight of the island and evolving governance structures in the 1750s.