Letter from the Duke of Grafton (Secretary of State) to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury enclosing approval from the King for barracks construction at Castle Rushen and Castletown, Isle of Man. The letter notes the removal of horse stables from the original plan following the withdrawal of cavalry from the island. This document records post-Revestment military infrastructure decisions and reflects the strategic assessment of Isle of Man's defence needs after 1765.
A petition from Charles Lutwidge, Receiver General of the Isle of Man, to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury requesting appointment of a salary for his office. Lutwidge outlines his role in implementing the Revestment Acts and establishing customs controls to suppress smuggling following the Crown's purchase of sovereignty in May 1765. The memorial was read on 22 May 1766 and again on 24 June 1766.
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).
Letter from Governor John Wood to an unnamed Lord (likely Treasury Minister) dated 15 April 1766, complaining of lack of salary and funds since the Isle of Man became vested in the Crown on 17 May 1765. Wood details expenses incurred for Crown business (King's Arms, military transport) undertaken at personal cost and notes that public entertainments have also been defrayed from his own pocket. Directly relevant to the immediate administrative challenges following the 1765 Revestment.
Letter from Governor John Wood to an unnamed Lord (likely Treasury official) dated 15 April 1766, detailing his financial hardships and lack of salary since the Isle of Man vested in the Crown on 17 May 1765. Wood describes various expenses he has undertaken on behalf of the Crown, including provision of King's Arms for courts and churches, and a vessel for military transport, all unreimbursed. The letter illustrates the administrative chaos and financial neglect following the 1765 Revestment.
Letter from Governor John Wood to an unnamed peer (likely the Lord Lieutenant or Secretary of State) dated 15 April 1766, complaining of non-payment of salary and funds since 17 May 1765 (the date of the Revestment). Wood details various Crown expenses he has personally undertaken, including provision of King's Arms for courthouses and payment for troop transport from the Queen's Royal Regiment. The letter illustrates the Crown's neglect of administrative arrangements immediately following the purchase of sovereignty.
Official correspondence from Edward Sedgwick (on behalf of the Earl of Halifax) to Charles Jenkinson at the Treasury, reporting that His Majesty has ordered the dispatch of two troops of Light Dragoons under Colonel John Hale and the Second (Queen's Royal) Regiment of Foot to the Isle of Man. The letter confirms orders issued to the Lord Justices of Ireland on 4 June 1765 for immediate embarkation. This document is directly relevant to the Revestment project as it shows the Crown's military response in the period immediately preceding the formal purchase of sovereignty from the Duke of Atholl.
Official correspondence from the Earl of Halifax's office (via Edward Sedgwick) to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, reporting that military reinforcements have been ordered to the Isle of Man. Two Troops of Light Dragoons under Colonel John Hale and the Second Regiment of Foot are to be dispatched from Ireland. The letter exemplifies the military dimension of the post-Revestment security arrangements and Crown administrative coordination.
Letter from the Lord Lieutenant (Hertford) to the Lords of the Treasury requesting payment of £235 5s 5d for transporting two troops of Hales Dragoons from the Isle of Man to Ireland. The dragoons had been stationed on the Island in June 1765 but were deemed unnecessary for its defence. This document illustrates post-Revestment military arrangements and the financial administration of the Island.
Administrative letter from the Lord Lieutenant (Hertford) to the Lords of the Treasury requesting payment of £235 5s 5d for the cost of transporting two troops of Hale's Dragoons from the Isle of Man to Ireland in 1766. The document confirms that Great Britain bore the transportation expenses and references the original deployment to the Island on 28 June 1765. Relevant to understanding military costs and the transitional governance of the Island during the Revestment period.
Letter from the Lord Lieutenant (Hertford) to the Lords of the Treasury requesting payment of £235 5s 5d to George Carleton for expenses incurred in transporting two troops of Hales Dragoons from the Isle of Man to Ireland. The troops had been stationed on the island in June 1765 but were deemed unnecessary for its defence. This document illustrates post-Revestment military administration and the costs associated with garrisoning the newly-purchased island.
Official report from Charles Lutwidge, Receiver General of the Isle of Man, to the Treasury Lords comparing the number and tonnage of vessels engaged in trade to/from the Island before and after the 1765 Crown purchase. Documents the decline in legitimate trade vessels and the shift of smuggling operations from Manx to foreign vessels post-Revestment.
Charles Lutwidge reports to the Treasury Lords on changes in vessel numbers and tonnage trading to/from the Isle of Man since the Crown's purchase in 1765. He distinguishes foreign trade (East Indian commodities, spirits, silks, wine, tobacco) from trade with Great Britain and Ireland, documenting the decline of legitimate Manx merchant vessels and the shift of smuggling operations to Irish wherries and French bases. The report provides quantitative data on vessel types and numbers engaged in both lawful and illicit trade.
Charles Lutwidge, Receiver and Surveyor General of the Isle of Man, submits proposals to the Lords of the Treasury regarding illicit trade in Guernsey and the Channel Islands. The document compares current smuggling in Guernsey to the pre-Revestment smuggling trade of the Isle of Man, detailing the importation of Danish rum via Guernsey and the activities of major smuggler Taubman. It argues for trade regulations to suppress foreign spirits smuggling.
A detailed proposal by Charles Lutwidge, Receiver and Surveyor General of Isle of Man, submitted to the Lords of the Treasury describing illicit trade in Guernsey (similar to pre-Revestment Manx smuggling) and recommending regulatory measures. Highlights the continuation of smuggling networks post-Revestment, particularly the Danish rum trade through agents like Taubman and Parr, and its impact on North American colonial commerce and Irish provision prices.
Letter from Charles Lutwidge to the Treasury Lords reporting his swearing-in as Receiver General and Collector of Revenues for the Isle of Man following the Revestment. He describes the arrival of troops from Ireland, appointment of revenue officers at key ports, removal of officers involved in smuggling, and preparations for the formal proclamation of possession. The letter highlights immediate concerns about illicit trade and the native population's resistance to military billeting.
Letter from Charles Lutwidge to the Treasury Lords confirming his swearing-in as Receiver General and Collector of Revenues for the Isle of Man following the Revestment. Reports arrival of troops from Ireland near Douglas, appointment of revenue collectors at key ports, dismissal of officers implicated in smuggling, and preparation for formal possession ceremony. Documents early implementation of royal revenue control and anti-smuggling measures.
Letter from Charles Lutwidge to Treasury Lords reporting his swearing-in as Receiver General and Collector of Revenues for the Isle of Man following the Crown's purchase of sovereignty. He describes the arrival of Irish troops near Douglas, the appointment of duty collectors at key ports, removal of officers suspected of smuggling involvement, and the Governor's proclamation ceremony planned for 11 July. Lutwidge pledges to suppress illicit trade and provide financial accounts.
A brief administrative letter from Charles Lutwidge in Douglas, Isle of Man, dated 2 November 1765, complaining about the lack of regular packet boat service and the resulting uncertainty in mail delivery. Lutwidge requests that future letters be forwarded via Whitehaven rather than Liverpool, citing it as a speedier and safer route. The letter references an earlier missive of 29 October regarding troops, and notes the delay in receiving correspondence from Mr Lowndes. Editorial notes indicate that a fortnightly packet service to/from Whitehaven was subsequently established around Christmas 1765.
Brief administrative letter from Charles Lutwidge (likely Lieutenant Governor) to an unnamed correspondent, dated 2 November 1765, complaining about the absence of a regular mail packet service from the Isle of Man and requesting that future correspondence be routed via Whitehaven. The letter references earlier correspondence regarding troops and notes the poor reliability of mail delivery via Liverpool. Provides context for communications infrastructure challenges during the immediate post-Revestment period.
Letter from Charles Lutwidge (Lieutenant Governor) to the Treasury Commissioners detailing a forfeiture case in the Isle of Man Court of Exchequer involving 188 pounds of tea seized in Ramsey. The case reveals constitutional tensions between Manx and English legal procedures, the intervention of local traders, and challenges to the Governor's authority. Includes critical observations on the suspension of effective revenue prosecution through appeals to the Privy Council.
Charles Lutwidge's detailed letter to the Treasury Commissioners describing the failed prosecution of a tea seizure case in the Isle of Man Court of Exchequer. The letter documents procedural disputes over jury trial rights, the claimant David Angus's appeal to the Privy Council, and Lutwidge's critique of how these proceedings undermined revenue enforcement. Highly relevant to understanding post-Revestment judicial authority and smuggling enforcement challenges.
A collection of Treasury documents (T 1/439/156-160) concerning John Dexter, who attempted to inform on smuggling operations on the Isle of Man but had his letters intercepted by smugglers. The file includes a covering letter from the Customs Commissioners, affidavits from two witnesses (Margaret Quirke and Mary Cain) defending the treatment of Dexter's wife during her confinement, and Dexter's own petition seeking employment in the Customs service as recompense for his loss and service to the Crown. The affair illustrates the dangers faced by informers, the dominance of smuggling interests on the island, and the vulnerability of Crown officials.
Treasury correspondence and supporting affidavits concerning John Dexter, an Isle of Man tenant-farmer who attempted to report smuggling activities to British customs authorities. The document includes sworn statements from local witnesses defending John Quayle (Comptroller) against allegations of ill-treatment, and Dexter's petition requesting employment in His Majesty's Customs service after being forced to flee the island.
Official report from Charles Lutwidge to the Treasury (T 1/439/154) dated 15 June 1765, describing his arrival at the Isle of Man with a revenue cutter and officers to enforce customs control immediately following the Revestment. Lutwidge reports discovering fraudulent licensing of rum and brandy exports under pretence of African trade, and recommends stricter oversight of future licences. This is a critical early document of revenue enforcement under the new Crown administration.
