Owner of the Isle of Man Times, picked up Robert Fargher's reform cause in the 1860s. He reported on Keys proceedings. The Keys objected. Brown was summoned before the House and refused to apologise. Governor Henry Loch, watching the confrontation between a newspaper editor and a self-perpetuating legislature, drew the conclusion that Fargher had drawn thirty years before: there could be no responsible government while the Keys remained unelected.
Appointed Governor of Mann by Lord Fairfax during the Commonwealth — a personal connection, cousin by marriage. Laid charges that William Christian had misappropriated the revenues of the sequestrated bishopric. The funds Christian had spent were church tithes, redirected to pay schoolteachers to educate Manx children. A Manx man spent Manx money on Manx purposes, and the lord who owned the Island called it theft. Christian's son George produced accounts showing the substantial accuracy of the payments. The charges were never proved.
Letter from James Clark (likely a Manx official) to Hobhouse at the Home Office regarding the inefficiency of Douglas police, salary augmentation for constables, and the need to route mail via steam packet rather than Whitehaven. Reflects post-Revestment administrative challenges and economic development of the Island following the 1765 purchase of sovereignty.
A letter from James Clark (likely a local official) to Hobhouse at the Home Office regarding the inefficiency of Douglas police, the need for proper constable recruitment, and the defects of the circuitous mail route via Whitehaven. The letter reflects post-Revestment administrative developments and the growing importance of Douglas as a commercial hub due to steam packet services.
Three interconnected private letters from James Clarke (Attorney General of Isle of Man) to Henry Hobhouse (Under Secretary Home Dept), Robert Peel (Home Secretary), and the Duke of Atholl, dated 7-10 March 1822. Clarke reports on the Duke's financial difficulties (£40,000 loan), deteriorating relations between the Duke and House of Keys, and tensions over Post-Revestment governance, particularly regarding parliamentary authority and corn import regulations.
Private correspondence from James Clarke (likely a Home Office official) to Henry Hobhouse regarding tensions between the Duke of Atholl and the Acting Attorney General of the Isle of Man. Clarke discusses the Duke's revival of the McCrone prosecution case and his harsh treatment of officials, advising the Governor to adopt conciliatory measures. References the complexities of holding dual Crown appointments (Receiver General and Collector of Customs) and a forgery case.
Private letter from James Clarke (likely a Home Office official) to Henry Hobhouse reporting on tensions between the Duke of Atholl and the Acting Attorney General of the Isle of Man. Clarke discusses the Duke's attempt to revive the McCrone prosecution and his harsh treatment of the Attorney General, advising circumspection and reconciliation. The letter reveals post-Revestment administrative friction and governance challenges.
Private correspondence from James Clarke (likely a government official or overseer) to Hobhouse, enclosing a letter from George Quirk (Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor) regarding the political state of the Isle of Man. Clarke comments on factional tensions, inflammatory newspaper publications, and attempts to maintain neutrality among stakeholders including the Duke and Bishop.
Two letters from James Clarke (Home Office representative in Isle of Man) to John Cam Hobhouse (Home Office) reporting on disruptive conduct by John Curwen in the House of Keys, relating to the dismissal of Robert Cunninghame and broader questions of parliamentary privilege and governmental authority in Manx institutions post-Revestment.
Two letters from James Clarke (Home Office official) to Hobhouse dated 12–14 January 1824 reporting on conduct within the House of Keys concerning John Curwen's inflammatory speech and resolutions. Clarke discusses political factionalism related to the dismissal of Robert Cunninghame, General Goldie's interference, and tensions between the Keys and the Duke's administration over freedom of speech and governance of the Island.
Private letter from James Clarke (Lieutenant Governor's representative) to Hobhouse at the Home Office reporting on the political state of the Isle of Man in 1824. Clarke discusses partisan newspapers, a prisoner named Sumner allegedly editing an inflammatory paper, and efforts to maintain neutrality among local factions and the Duke's interests.
Letter from James Clarke, Attorney General of the Isle of Man, to Lord John Russell (Home Secretary) discussing the post-Revestment governance of the Island. Clarke reflects on the decline of the Keys' influence, the need for judicial reform, the appointment of a new Commission of Magistrates, and recommends the continuation of military governors with non-resident judges. Written 70 years after the 1765 Revestment, this document provides insight into the constitutional and administrative aftermath.
Letter from James Clarke, Attorney General of the Isle of Man, to Home Secretary Lord John Russell (17 Nov 1835) discussing his appointment, the historical conflict between the Keys and the Duke of Atholl, the declining influence of the Keys, administrative reform, and the establishment of a new Commission of Magistrates. Reflects on governance structure, judicial independence, and the need for non-resident judges.
Letter from James Clarke to Mark Phillips reporting on charities in the Isle of Man, the confirmation of the Duke of Atholl's sale to the Crown by Act of Parliament, and Crown property matters. Clarke discusses the need for Crown trustees and arrangements for a Law Library at Castletown. Relevant as post-Revestment administrative correspondence addressing the transition of governance and institutional arrangements.
Official correspondence from James Clarke (likely a Home Office official) to Mark Phillips regarding a report on Isle of Man charities, the confirmation of the Crown's purchase from the Duke of Atholl by Act of Parliament, Crown property management, and governance issues post-Revestment. Clarke notes the necessity of Parliamentary confirmation for securing the Crown's title and discusses trustee appointments.
Three private letters from James Clarke (Attorney General of the Isle of Man) dated March 1822 to Henry Hobhouse (Home Office), Robert Peel (Home Secretary), and the Duke of Atholl. Clarke reports on the Duke's financial difficulties (£40,000 loan), warns of tensions between the Duke and the House of Keys, and expresses concern about the Duke's hostility toward Parliamentary legislation binding the Island (particularly corn importation law). Clarke seeks approval for a summer visit and refuses the Duke's demand for an immediate March visit.
A Manxman who had become mayor of Liverpool. Married into the Leece family whose merchant connections linked the Island to the wider world. Wrote to the Lords of the Admiralty begging for the release of the fishermen impressed by Lieutenant Hawkes in 1811. The Admiralty refused. A Manx-born mayor of one of England's greatest cities, petitioning the Crown on behalf of his own people, and being told no.
This is an editorial introduction and partial transcription from the published Papers of James Madison, presenting Madison's youth commonplace book (a notebook of excerpts and notes from his reading, primarily 1762–1772). The document includes extensive editorial notes contextualizing Madison's reading in Cardinal de Retz's Memoirs, works on national character, The Spectator, and other polite literature. While primarily biographical, it documents intellectual currents and reading habits of an educated colonial American during the pre-Revolutionary period.
Letter from James McCrone (Castle Mona) to Alexander Fraser regarding the progress of mountain and warren surveys by Pettman and Vignoles, and difficulties with tithe collection. The surveyed area exceeds 30,000 acres. McCrone expresses concern about the viability of drawing tithes in kind and indicates he may be called to London to explain the matter to the Duke.
Letter from James McCrone (likely factor or manager at Castle Mona) to Alexander Fraser regarding delays in surveying and mapping mountains and warrens on the Isle of Man, involving engineers Pettman and Vignoles. McCrone also discusses difficulties with tithe collection in kind and anticipates being called to London to explain the matter to the Duke of Atholl. Provides context on post-Revestment estate management and revenue collection challenges.
Letter from James McCrone (likely steward or factor to the Duke of Atholl) dated 10 September 1823 discussing Isle of Man agricultural, economic, and administrative affairs. Topics include barley cultivation, farm tenancies, herring fishing, lead and silver mining operations at Foxdale, tithes commutation, and financial obligations. Provides snapshot of post-Revestment Manx economy and governance under Atholl proprietorship.
Letter from James McCrone (estate manager) to the Duke of Atholl dated 10 September 1823, reporting on Isle of Man agricultural conditions, fishing prosperity, mining trials, upcoming Tynwald meeting regarding tithe commutation, and financial matters. Written nearly 60 years post-Revestment, this document illustrates the Duke's continuing administrative interests and the Island's economic development under his lordship.
Letter from James McCrone (agent) to the Duke of Atholl reporting severe economic distress on the Isle of Man in 1827, including crop and fishing failures, mass emigration to America, banking difficulties, and the impact of the Crown's acquisition of the Duke's interest. Covers rent collection failures, currency shortage, mining company collapse, and estate management issues.
