[From Atholl Papers - AP 33(B)(2nd) 46]

[Letter of D. Mylrea & J. Quayle to Duke of Atholl 12 Jan 1771]

Isle Mann 12th Jany 1771

May it please Your Grace

Your Grace's Letter of the 27th Ult we had the Honor to receive on the 6th Inst, And as the Keys were assembled here the next Day, we took that opportunity of talking with those Gentlemen, who from their public Character and residence in different parts of the Isle could give the most satisfactory & general account, how agreeable the plan of having the East India Company's Regiment proposed to be stationed here would be to the people. We also consulted with several other Gentlemen, who all seemed possessed with the same notions.

That the money accruing from those Troops would be a certain Relief to their present reduced Circumstances & distressed Situation - would prevent further Emigrations of useful hands, whom want of Employ & Necessity oblige to remove for Bread - open a Market to the Farmers - encourage Manufacturers - revive the Circulation of Cash & have many other desireable Effects.

But when they considered, that to let loose so many hundred Men,recruited from Goals[sic Gaols] & the Dregs of Mankind, undisciplined, tho' armed among a defenceless helpless people, might be attended with the most melancoly circumstances; that if this plan is adopted, we should loose the four Companies of the King's Troops, & have no Relief from the Ravages of these Irregulars.

Upon the whole, the Generality of the principal people were at a Loss what to think of the Matter - Some were against the Scheme, others for it, upon the supposition that there will be a sufficient number of Officers and proper Barracks to keep the Men in order - And we two differ in opinion.

With respect to Castle Rushen, all we know is, that before the Winter 1765 three Companies of Foot & one Troop of Dragoons went into Barrack there, of whom several, we understand, had lodgings in this Town - And that now two Companies of the 42d Regiment are there - many are the empty houses & ware houses in each Town of this Isle.

We had the Honor of writing to your Grace the 26th Ult and enclosing Captain Donaldsons Bill of that day upon Mr Meyrick for £161.7.10 Brit And Your Grace will receive herewith the like Bill dated the 2nd Inst for £42.6.8 Brit at 30 Days date which is all we could get at present; but hope to make a Remittance soon.

We have the Honor to be etc. Dan Mylrea, John Quayle

PS Janry 14th As the packet met with an Accident & no opportunity yet offers to carry the Mail, the Two Gentlemen who subscribed the enclosed prefered us to transmit it to your Grace.