A letter from Hugh Cosnahan in Douglas, Isle of Man, to George Farquher, discussing the Duke of Atholl's presence in London pursuing Parliamentary compensation and rights claims post-Revestment, and various administrative appointments on the island including the Collectors office and Comptrollership. Cosnahan seeks Farquher's patronage for future appointments.
Two letters (2 May and 31 May 1789) from Hugh Cosnahan, a Manx merchant who lost money in fish trading since 1765, seeking patronage from the Duke of Atholl through intermediary George Farquher to secure government employment on the Isle of Man. The second letter adds urgent news of Collector Richard Betham's death. Reveals post-Revestment patronage networks and economic hardship among Manx traders.
Hugh Cosnahan, a businessman who claims to have struggled since 1765 (the Revestment year), seeks patronage through George Farquher to obtain a government post on the Isle of Man, specifically the collector's position. The letter reveals post-Revestment employment structures, patronage networks linking the Duke of Atholl to the Isle of Man administration, and the economic difficulties faced by local traders. A follow-up letter (31 May 1789) notes the death of Richard Betham, the current collector, and urges immediate action.
Letter from Hugh Hamersley (likely legal advisor to the Duke of Atholl) advising against retaliation against Stephenson following disputed legal proceedings. Discusses jurisdictional issues, court costs, and advice on managing the matter discreetly. References accounts brought to Lady Day and correspondence with Mr Quayle. Reflects tensions in Manx administration and legal governance prior to Revestment.
A letter from Hugh Hamersley (legal advisor) to the Duke of Atholl discussing a dispute with Stephenson, likely relating to judicial authority and jurisdiction in the Isle of Man. The letter advises against retaliation and discusses costs, suits, and the authority of courts. Hamersley also reports on account ledgers and correspondence from Mr Quayle, indicating administrative management of Atholl's Manx holdings.
A formal letter from the people of the Isle of Man to King Edward I, dated 1290, in which they place themselves under the king's protection and promise obedience, forfeiting their lands and persons if they rebel. Presented in both English and Latin, this document illustrates the island's constitutional relationship with the English Crown and provides context for understanding later assertions of royal sovereignty culminating in the 1765 Revestment.
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.
A letter from John Lewhellin (Ramsey) to the Duke of Atholl dated 24 June 1768, discussing the rental terms for a parcel of commons land (30 shillings per annum), the difficulties of enclosure due to terrain and stone availability, and confirming his acceptance of the position of game keeper. The letter reflects the Duke's continued authority over Isle of Man lands and administrative appointments prior to the 1765 Revestment purchase by Parliament.
A letter from John Lewhellin to the Duke of Atholl dated 24 June 1768, detailing negotiations for renting a parcel of Atholl's commons on the Isle of Man, describing the land's difficult topography and enclosure costs, and confirming Lewhellin's acceptance of appointment as game keeper. The letter reflects post-Revestment administrative relationships and land management on the island under Atholl's remaining holdings.
A petition letter from John Lewhellin of Ramsey to the Duke of Atholl requesting appointment as comptroller of customs following the death of Fisher Jackson. The letter also documents Lewhellin's improvements to common land granted by Atholl, including enclosure, willow planting, and forestry projects. Relevant to understanding post-Revestment administrative appointments and the Duke's residual interests in Isle of Man affairs.
A letter from John Lewhellin to the Duke of Atholl (dated 11 March 1770) petitioning for the vacant position of comptroller of customs in Ramsey following the death of Fisher Jackson. The letter also reports on land improvements on a commons grant and proposes plantation projects, offering evidence of post-Revestment economic activity and the Duke's continued landholding interests on the island.
John Quayle, Governor's Clerk on the Isle of Man, reports to the Duke of Atholl on his recent return from London, with intelligence on smuggling activity (tea ships from Copenhagen and Gothenburg), naval enforcement plans (HMS Hynde and proposed cutter stations), and local administrative matters. Dated just weeks before the Revestment Act was passed, this letter provides crucial evidence of the smuggling trade and the Crown's emerging enforcement strategy.
A private letter from John Quayle (Manx official) to Basil Cochrane discussing patronage politics surrounding the deemstership appointment (Mr Taubman succeeding a deceased deemster), alleged corruption by the deputy deemster, the Duke of Atholl's influence, and gossip about Manx gentry and commercial affairs. Provides insight into governance, nepotism, and smuggling-adjacent activities ('boon money', puffin smuggling) in pre-Revestment Isle of Man.
A private letter from John Quayle (a Manx official) to Basil Cochrane discussing political patronage, deemster appointments, revenue management, and social gossip from the Isle of Man. The letter reveals tensions around the Duke of Atholl's influence, corruption concerns regarding the deputy deemster, and details of 'boon money' (feudal dues). Provides crucial context for understanding the personal and factional dynamics on the island in the years preceding the 1765 Revestment.
A letter from John Quayle, Governor's Clerk, to the Duke of Atholl reporting on conditions in the Isle of Man following Quayle's recent return from London. The letter covers expense accounts, a settlement with Mr Stevenson, naval deployments including the Hynde man of war and planned cutter stations, and significant tea smuggling activity with shipments from Copenhagen and Gothenburg. This document provides insight into the immediate context of the 1765 Revestment negotiations and the active smuggling trade.
Letter dated 9 April 1768 from John Quayle (Receiver-General's agent) to the Duke of Atholl concerning legal proceedings against Charles Searle, the newly appointed Attorney-General. Includes substantial editorial commentary establishing Searle's background, his appointment in 1768, and a detailed account of a 1747 debt dispute originating in Farnham, Surrey. Provides context on post-Revestment administrative appointments and personal networks.
A letter dated April 1768 from John Quayle (Castletown) to the Duke of Atholl concerning legal difficulties involving Charles Searle, including a bill in Chancery filed from Dorking. The transcription includes extensive editorial annotation explaining Searle's background, his appointment as Attorney-General in 1768, his financial disputes involving title deeds and a loan from 1747, and his connections to the Island prior to the Revestment. Relevant to understanding post-Revestment administrative appointments and the character of early British-appointed officials.
Administrative letter from John Quayle (Receiver or revenue official) to Mr Harrison regarding money remittances to the Duke of Atholl, accounting procedures, and extensive complaints about English revenue cruisers committing robbery and depredations within Manx ports and territorial waters. Provides detailed examples of incidents at Douglas and Ramsey, and warns of merchant exodus if such activities continue.
A 16th-century state paper from the Scottish State Paper Office reporting on military activity by English warships operating off the west coast of Scotland. The letter notes that vessels prepared to intercept victualling ships have instead caused damage in the Isle of Man and have withdrawn due to invasion fears. This document provides early evidence of military interest in and strategic vulnerability of the Isle of Man.
Extract of correspondence from the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man to the Earl of Suffolk regarding chronic delays in paying the civil establishment—arrears of over three years—and the resulting hardship to officers and neglect of duty. This document reflects post-Revestment administrative challenges and financial management issues on the Island.
Extract of a letter from the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man to the Earl of Suffolk dated 12 March 1778, describing chronic delays in salary payments to civil officers and the detrimental effects on their performance and livelihoods. The document illustrates post-Revestment administrative dysfunction and financial difficulties in managing the island's civil establishment.
A congratulatory letter from Lord Kinnoull to the Duke of Atholl dated 9 March 1765, immediately following the conclusion of the Isle of Man Revestment agreement with the British Government. Kinnoull affirms that the Duke acted wisely in accepting the compensation offered, despite concerns about its adequacy. The letter also praises the parliamentary advocate Mr Cooper's performance at the Bar of the House of Commons. This is a key contemporaneous source confirming the Duke's acceptance of terms and the successful conclusion of negotiations.
Administrative correspondence from Lieutenant Governor Smelt to Lord Viscount Sidmouth at the Home Office requesting approval and funding for the rebuilding of the House of Keys at Castle Rushen. Includes architectural plans and detailed cost estimate (£1,039 10s) for construction. Demonstrates post-Revestment governance structures and the financial condition of Manx institutions.
Administrative letter from Dan Mylrea and John Quayle (Atholl's representatives on the Isle of Man) to the Duke of Atholl regarding cash remittances, Mr Cosnahan's refusal to pay duties, concerns about opposition to the Duke's rights, Lutwidge's legal opinion on boon services, and applications for land improvements and flax mill licences. Dated 10 April 1766, shortly after the Revestment.
