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© F.Coakley , 2023
[From Atholl Papers - AP 121-2 et seq]
These several letters include the first correspondence between the 4th Duke of Atholl and John Quayle & William Callow whom his father had appointed as Stewards for his manorial interests.
One common thread through most of them is Quayle's desire to lease the Governor's House and Demesne - the former occupying a key site on the Parade and both previously rented to the Governor as a nominal rent.
London Jany 30th 1775
I should before this have answered your two letters; one of the 29th of Novbr and the other the 29th Oct, which I received together but delayed answering them, untill I could write in a satisfactory manner about filling up the Commissions for Stewards, the Memorial &c.
In your first letter you mention that you have ordered the usual parts of Castletown, and Douglas Chapels to be hung with mourning. I am much obliged to you for this mark of your respect to the memory of so good a man.
You say that in your opinion, the Dutchess was first in Remainder and the Duke my Father next; that upon the demise of my Grandfather, the Duke and Dutchess took as Baron and Feme; in right of my Mother, and that now the Dutchess stands solely seized. But my Mother having signed a legal Deed, by which she makes over the Isle of Mann, and everything thereto belonging to me, & Mr Hammersley's opinion that I can fill up the Blanks you left in the form you sent over, with my own name, I shall send it over in a few posts.
The Bills inclosed in your second letter came safe to hand making £144:3:6 which I shall place to your credit on account. I am much obliged to you for the two Keggs of Puffins you sent me, I received them some time ago in good order. As to the Cannon and the Picture which were to go to Dunkeld, you may send them there as soon as a good opportunity offers.
I received with your two letters a Copy of the memorial preferred by my Father, to the Lords of the treasury (and also Mr Forrester's opinion; which last I have sent back as you desired) you say their Lordships suffered the particulars of this memorial, to be reported by the Governor and Receiver General, and that they, returned their reports in August last. Copies of these I have procured, and also an opinion of the Attorney General Searle, by which you will see how much they are endeavouring to encroach if not prevented. I would have you wait on Governor Wood, and tell him from me, that I think he has not behaved in the manner I could have expected from one who my Father considered as a Friend; in short say something very strong to him, you may likewise say something to Mr Lutwidge.
What I would have you do now is to take the best opinion in the Island about the enclosed reports and what is best for me to do. I wish you would likewise send a Draught of such a act as you think best to be passed in the Tinwald Court.
I am &c
Atholl
Isle Mann 13th April 1775
My Lord Duke
Inclosed your Grace will receive Pat Tobin's Bill of the 23d Ult on Earle and Woodhouse for £50 at 40days date, at Messrs Drumonds Bank - Also Senhouse Wilson's two bills upon Chas Lutwidge for £100 Each & a Bank Note No B 41 for £10 making together Two hundred & Sixty pounds Brit wch are on the Account of the year 1774.
As the drafting the proposed Act of parliament, with respect to Your Graces Revenues within this Isle, require an able & experienced person, it was recomended to the late Duke upon the first movement of the Affair, to have the Act drawn in London - But upon receit of your Grace's Letter, I applyed to Mr Busk who has been lately appointed our Attorney General, & is the other day returned to England for his Family, and he has promised to take it in hand, when he comes back to this Isle - Tho it requires much time, consideration & precision; yet I hope all will be prepared agt the next Sessions - And every Attention will be given to your Graces Rights, but it will be necessary to have the Resolutions of the Treasury.
Mr Callow has received some Rents for this year, but is now at the Northside, so that he doth not join in this letter with
John Quayle
Isle Mann 1st May 1777
About Eleven o'Clock last night our worthy Governor departed this life - He was appointed to this Government by your Grace's Grandfather, and ever continued a steady Friend to your Noble Family.
The precarious State of His Excellency's health for this month past postponed my being in London, to which place £600 hath been already remitted, having had various accounts of your Grace's being some times there, at other times in Scotland - As soon as we with certainty know how to direct, your Grace may expect the Remittance, and a particular account of the State of the Mines and Game.
Mr Callow is at present out of Town, and I take the opportunity of this Government Express to give your Grace this Intelligence, and am with the utmost Respect.
John Quayle
Castletown May the 6th 1777
May it please your Grace
From the various Reports of your Grace's being in different parts of England and Scotland, we postponed answering your Graces Letter, until we were advised of the proper Direction - detaining this, 'till your Grace vouchsafes an answer to Mr Quayle's Letter of 1st Inst.
The former Agent of the Mines, either from Caprice or Judgement, differed with his Employers relative to the Work, and is gone off. But we took care to take his Direction should his Advice or Service be hereafter found useful. We have also procured a private Copy of the Assignment of the Lease - The present Agent seems to know little of the Business. Notwithstanding he hath received Notice that Your Grace expects a specific performance of the Lease, as they would avoid a Litigation for its Forfeiture - They have since kept up the stipulated Number of Workmen. But as they are opening a new Work, and the Mine they get in their progress being a very triffle both in Quantity & Quality, and intending to remove a Bob Engine to this new Work, they please themselves with their prospects - About a Fortnight ago the agent applied for weighing off and dividing all the Ores they had at the several Works, and as it was out of our Way to attend such Business personally, we appointed an honest old Servant of the late Duke's to attend, take the several accounts and make his Observations on the State of the Mines, in the different places; for which we were to pay him 2:6d for each day he is employed, with Horse Hire and Expences - we request your Graces Direction in this proceeding as the ore upon the whole was of little Value, we agreed to export your Graces Share along with the rest, and to divuide the Neat proceeds, upon the account sales in Chester. Their Engines Tools & Materials here being more than ample Security for your Graces Demands. The Agent with these Ores sailed last Night, and it may be conjectured that the great Disbursments and Discouragements added to the private Disagreement in the Company will make his Return, or further prosecution of the Work very dubious - They shall not however want proper Notices, and it is much to be wished that the Lease might be vacated without a Law but, as the Novelty of the Case creates Difficulties.
The late Duke having engaged that his Grants of the Impropriate Tythes of Malew &c should be free from Incumbrance and having reserved the prescriptions & Moduses which would not sell at the stipulated rate, and also the Fish Tythe & Offerings, to answer the Deductions of the Bishop's praxy Money the Vicar's Pensions and the Reparation of the Chancels your Graces proposal was accordingly laid before a Vestry, But they rejected the same and insinuated that your Grace was to rebuild the Chancel according to the present Dimensions, and support the same as formerly accustomed - And so the Chancel remains ready to fall into Ruin. The case has been stated to your Grace and we confess our selves incompetent in the Knowledge of the Civil or Common Law to give our opinion upon the points. But we apprehend that the Ordinary in such Cases grants a Sequestration, & gives his sentence for effecting such Works - your Grace will please to consider how proper it would be to correspond with the Lord Bishop who is well versed in these Matters, or take such opinions upon this Case as it seems to merit.
Enclosed your Grace will receive the Clause relative to the Tax upon Dogs, which we hope will appear to deter, rather then encourage poachers. While Mr Quayle is of the Council and Mr Callow one of the Keys, your Grace may be assured, that every Attention will be given to your Grace's Rights and Interest, in the making of any new Laws.
Upon the Event of the late Governors Death, it may be necessary to apprise your Grace, that the late Duke upon the vesting Act directed that the Houses and Demesne theretofore held by the Governor at eight pounds a year should be advanced to a reasonable Rent. And as it was too delicate a point for the Agents to interfere, the Treaty and Agreement were made by his Grace and the Governor, and the Rent being thereupon referred to two Neighbouring Gentlemen indifferently chosen, His Grace in Consequence thereof by Letter engaged to let the Governor have the premises during his Government, at twenty four pounds rent - But now we think it our Duty to apprize your Grace that, that rent was inadequate, and beg Leave to recommend to your Grace's Consideration, how eligible it would be to continue these premises in the Line of Governors. And to advise your Grace that we have a solvent person in our eye, who will give double that Rent upon a twenty one years lease.
The affair of the Boons at this Juncture requires your Grace's immediate Attention And we are sorry to say that the Difficulties still remain in collecting your Grace's Rents &c - There are sundry Articles which the late Duke would willingly have settled with Government, but wanted a proper Opening - The several papers relative thereto were in a lower Drawer in the Cabinet of his dressing Room in Governors Place. Duplicates and others were left at Dunkeld but not given to Mr Bisset - It would be necessary to have them all collected, and duly considered prejudicing your Claim by the Delays.
May the 28th This Letter being thus far prepared, in order to give the more immediate Answer, upon your Graces first Advice, We beg Leave to acknowledge the Honor of your Grace's Letter of the 17th instant, and to add that we are informed the Agent for the Mines has sent the Ores before mentioned to London - The bad Quality of which will be a great Discouragement to the Company, some of whom we are told are Refiners - We should now send your Grace an abstract of their assignment of the Mines, was it not for the postage. And we beg leave to be informed whether your Grace would chuse to have our Letters directed to Colonel Murray at Dunkeld, or other your Grace's Residence, which your Grace by knowing the Superscription and Seal, or other private mark prescribed, may open and evade the postage.
The Bishop of Mann is at present at Buxton, but is shortly to be in Liverpool - And Malew Chancel being in so ruious a state to save the Season of Rebuilding no time should be lost.
Your Grace finds that Lieutenant Colonel Smith of the 4th Horse is appointed to succeed the late Governor Wood, and that Major Dawson is continued Lieutenant Governor - We find these Gentlemen intend to apply for a continuance of the Farm, and may put your Grace to the disagreeable Necessity of indulging them, and their successors, with the same, at present low rent, or offending them with asking Double. Besides, your Grace may expect, that they will require considerable Alterations and Repairs, ^to the expences of^ which the late Duke was much averse and many other Inconviencies may arise from these transitory Tenants. Our Mr Quayle begs leave hereby to propose giving your Grace forty eight pounds a year, for a Lease for twentyone years, commencing at Michaelmas next, when the late Governor's term expires, And to take the premises in the present state and repair. Which he hopes your Grace will think a proper advance, and will prevent any disagreeable apllications to your Grace for the Concerns, at the present low rent or for the expences of additions repairs or improvements, which the Governors cannot expect from a Lessee, and would lie very idle on these old Buildings or at least this proposal may serve as a proper appology for the advance rent, without Discovery of the proposer. And we beg leave to be provided with your Graces pleasure & direction as Colonel Smith, was to set out for this island this week. Should your Grace approve of Mr Quayle's proposals, he will have no objections to a Covenant, that if any of your Grace's Family become Governors of this Isle (which was & is ardently wished for) upon such Contingency, that the Term shall be suspended an[d] such Governor be intitled to all or any part of the premises dur[ing] Residence.
Enclosed your Grace will receive Messrs Shiel & Orrs Bill upon Stedman for £108:6:- at twentyone days sight dated the 28th April last - And Mr Bacons Bill on Snell & Co for £52:10:- at thirty one days sight dated the 29th of sd month - and our Mr Quayles Bill of the same date on Messrs Murrell & Moore for £600 at twenty one days sight - and Mr Lightfoots Bill on Hugh Brown for £19:5:6 at twenty days sight dated the 10th inst - and one Bank Note value thity pounds an an other of Ten pounds, both endorsed to your Grace or order, and which two notes it will be necessary for your Grace likewise to endorse - Which Bills and Notes make up together the sum of Eight hundred and twenty pounds one shilling and six pence British - the Receit whereof we beg your Grace to acknowledge, that accidents may be timely prevented
John Quayle, William Callow
Dunkeld June 12th 1777
Sirs
I acknowledge the receipt of ... [as sent in AP 121-9]
I should wish to have a copy of the Asignment of the Mines, that I may take advice how far it stands good, att any rate the lease has such a short time to run that I imagine they will not find it worth their while to expend much money, especially as they may rest assured that I never will grant a lease upon any terms whatever to them; if the Assignment is a proper one, nothing remains best for you to see they work it agreable to the terms of the lease, and that I get my Dues.
I am too little acquainted with the affairs of the Isle of Mann to be able to fix what to do in regard to the Chancel of Malew, you who have for so long a time been Residents in the Island, should know how to proceed; if you do not think yourselves competent judges, [since?] there must be some man in the Island acquainted with the laws and customs of it, to such a one I would have you apply; I expect that you having been always employed by my family in the Island will take care of the intrests of it; I mean to visit the Island myself the first opportunity I can get, and shall then make myself perfect masters of every thing and endeavour to settle all the present difficulties.
I have read the tax upon Dogs and think its good one; I shall make use of the Intelligence you give me of the Governors farm being too low rented, it was exceedingly right in you to give me that information. I hope to find when I shall visit the Island many branches on which just and moderate additions may be made; any papers I find here relative to the Isle of Mann I shall peruse with attention; The New Governor will I hope be attentive to my interests whenever any thing occurs you may thnk clashes with that I expect immediately to be informed
Atholl
P.S, I will within this little while send you over some franks for myself
Castletown 19th June 1777
Mr Callow being obliged to attend business from home this day, I am loath to slip the packet, to acknowledge the receipt of your Graces Letters of the 7th & 12th Inst, which came last evening to hand.
When we receive the Franks your Grace mentions, we shall send the Copy of the Copy, of the assignment of the lease of the Mines, & other papers wanting to be transmitted - your Grace seems to entertain a very just opinion of the present occupiers of the Mines - And we shall continue (till further Order) to employ the person recomended in our last to your Grace, to keep a watchful eye over them, and their works - a suit may as well be avoided, as the undertaking seems to promise a Determination of itself.
Your Grace will do this Island great Honor in a visit; But permit me, my Lord Duke (as I was always encouraged by my much admired late Lord) to lay before your Grace, my best and most candid observations - The principal and first objects of your Graces Attention seems to begin with the Treasury Board - Lord North, I know, most worthily held your late Father in great Esteem, and from so good a character as his Lordship, your Grace may hope to find that Attachment favourable to your case - what is wanting to be done here, is in a partial and secondary Degree - When Matters are concluded with Government, your Grace's Business will in course go on here with Satisfaction, Authority and Effect. Which may not be the case. if the beginning is made at the wrong End - your Grace may learn from others, the Degree of Confidence & Attention I have hitherto met with from the several Governors & your Grace shall certainly be apprized if matters take a course prejudicial to your Grace's Interest.
The case of Malew Chancel affords no precedent here, and I know no person in this Isle, other than our Lord Bishop, who has made the Civil or Cannon Law his study - your Grace's proposal was fair and equitable, the parishioners are as unreasonable; so that an opinion from Doctor's commons seems to afford your Grace the necessary satisfaction.
Enclosed your Grace will receive Mrs Wood's Bill upon Mr Barclay for £100 at 21 days sight, no rent having been paid since 1772 - which is but one of the Inconveniences in Transactions with persons in power - And when the Benefit is derived from your Grace and those received from the Agent under Influence, the Favor slips between the two, & is of no Account. The case may be otherwise with a Lessee, who will accomodate them, but must collect, as he regularly pays his Rent - The Reparations will amount to a Sum, and those will certainly be upon a bad Foundation - as your Grace may probably be unacquainted with the Sentiments of these times, be pleased to have recourse to the late Duke's Letter to us dated 28th April 1770.
I would not wish to have these well intended offices devulged, as I mean nothing more than your Grace's Interest, and to accomodate the Gentlemen with propriety - I have the Honor to be, with the utmost Respect &c John Quayle
P.S. Since writing the above, an account comes of the death of Mr Wilks late Rector of Ballaugh - some years ago Lord Sandwich made interest with the late Duke, to send Mr Castley, the Academic professor here, & Fellow of a College in Cambridge, to go thither and vote in his Lordship's favor for the Chancellorship & afterwards be ready to attend in case of a scrutiny - I remember it was a very critical Election, and understood that Lord Sandwich promised Mr Castley a proper acknowledgement - with these few days, I heard it whispersed, that Mr Castley proposes to avail with Lord Sandwich, upon this vacancy - among other things of consequence to your Grace & Family, the Boons of this Isle worth above £60 p ann is in jeopardy, between your Grace & the Governor - and your Grace may want Friends at Court at this juncture - this is merely intended as a private intimation, which I hope your Grace will as candidly pardon.
Dunkeld July 3d 1777
Sir
I have received your letter inclosing Mrs Woods bill for One hundred pounds on Mr Barclay.
There are several parts of your letter I shall snswer more at my leisure. At present I shall only Inform you that I have fixed on Mr Gelling Vicar of Malew to succeed to the Rectory of Ballaugh; I have just received a warm Recommendation of Mr Castley from Lord Sandwich. You may tell him that from Lord Sandwich's Recommendation he may if he chuses have the Vicarage of Malew, which will be vacant by Mr Gelling's getting the Rectory of Ballaugh his Answer I wish to have directly; I have inclosed two Franks and will send more; I am &c Atholl
P.S, I wish you to be very particular relative to what you think about the Boons my Intrest has been strongly recommended to the Governor and I have received a letter from him saying he would take particular care of them be under no apprehension of my private hint you give me being divulged but be explicit.
Castletown August 9th 1777
May it please your Grace
Inclosed your Grace will receive Mr Curphys's Memorial which recites Facts and gives your Grace ample Information of the Matter.
According to Expectation our Lieutenant Governor applied for the House Garden & Out Offices heretofore occupied by the Governor of this isle. And has he had in the year 1775 resided in that House, recommended a survey thereof. Upon which a Carpenter and Mason examined it and found that the parts marked A, B, C and D in the inclosed were ancient buildings and so ruinous as not to admit of repairation, and that the parts marked E and F, built about the year 1690 is capable of being repaired. A proposition was made to the Governor for his rebuilding the house upon a plan to be agreed on, & having a certain term. To which he replied that it was not suitable for any person in his situation to expend money upon such an occasion but he was willing to pay a reasonable rent for the house & when tenantable, during his Government as also for such parts of the lands as he should have use for as he was partial to the place of residence of all former Governors, and desired your Grace would signify your pleasure as soon as convenient for that he would postpone looking out for an other place in the mean time. The surveyors estimate the rebuilding of A,B,C & D, and the reparation of E & F at £300 at the least - should the habitation be thus made commodious, while the Governors reside in this town, there is no house so convenient for them so that your Grace is next to certain of a tenant. - The roof of the Chappel is likewise considerably out of repair, many of the principles being broken. Should your Grace be not inclined to go to the expence of rebuilding and repairing - if your Grace will favour Mr Quayle with a lease of twenty one years on the late Governor Woods terms the same may be undertaken by him. Mr Castley upon consideration declines Malew Vicarage - Mr Gellin has not deigned to mention his acceptance of the Rectory, tho we hear he had certain accounts of the presentation.
There was great pains taken and search made relative to the Boons, of which the late Duke had the fair copy and afterwards he sent for a duplicate by the return of the Packet, which allowed no time to make a duplicate thereof and therefore the draft was then transmitted. - It is to be wished your Grace could lay your hands on one, or other, of those papers, for it would be difficult (if now practicable) to make so compleat a case, the Crown and Manorial Records being now severed.
We have the Honor &c John Quayle, William Callow
N,B. The Memorial not having come to Hand as expted - Your Grace will receive the same by our next Ltre.
Castletown September the 6th 1777
May it please your Grace
Yesterday we had the Honor of your Grace's Letter of the 19th ult and in particular of your Grace's Direction, immediately communicated to the Governor the Contents respecting the late Governor's House & Demesne. And this day we received his Answer a Copy whereof we beg leave to enclose, as also Mr Quayle's proposals in a Letter to your Grace.
Several new Laws for this Island, having lately received the Royal assent, and to be proclaimed the 9th Instant. We beg leave to inclose to your Grace the Titles thereof and if your Grace should be inclined to have an Abstract or Copy of them, the samr shall be transmitted to your Grace.
The assignees of the Mines have fallen upon a very promising vein, and within these few days have got a good quantity of ore which wew chose to take in kind being more valuable than the composition specified in the lease.
Hoping it will be agreeable to your Grace to hear the prosperity of this Isle we beg leave to inform your Grace that there is a more plentiful Herring Fishery than has been known for many years.
We have the Honor &c John Quayle, William Callow
As the Term for Letting Lands herew near approaches & Mrs Woods Term near expired your Graces please on ther inclosed cannot be too early communicated.
Castletown 6th Sept 1777
My Lord Duke
The contents of your Grace's letter of the 19th Ult claim my grateful respects. I assure your Grace, that my proposals originated purely from a disposition, to give your Grace an opportunity of obviating any expectation, which Govr Wood's successor might entertain, of having his house and land on the old terms; & drawing them into a precedent - otherwise your Grace would be put to the disagreeable necessity, of alktercating for a higher rent.
In conversations with the late Duke, I rated the concerns at double the rent Govr Wood paid; and I forbear mentioning the reply but shall now, only observe that by my making the proposal, your Grace had proper grounds to require that rent, from the preceeding Govr - wanting no part for myself, I should mean only, to improve and sublett the premises. An opportunity of accomodating & obliging each Govr might have its advantages in my situation, and by my residence here, and attention to the subject, I hope not to be a looser - wherefore I beg leave to submit to your Grace, the following proposals, for a lease for 21 years.
That I will pay £48 (which is double the late Govr Woods rent)p ann and keep such houses, &c as I find in repair on the comencement of the term, but not such parts as are ruinous.
Or that I will rebuild, in a substantial manner, that part of the Dwelling house, marked A, B, C & D in the plan transmitted to your Grace, & expend £300 at the least thereon, and put the whole of the premises into repair wch will require £100 or more - which £400 ought to bear 10 p cent to a tenant whose principal sinks with his term.
Or, if your Grace, be pleased to advance these charges of rebuilding & repairs, I will give £36 rent and 8 p cent on the advances and keep the premises in repair, wch rate of Int is proportional, as the benefit of the Improvement is permanent, in your Grace.
Upon perusal of Govr Dawson's Card, I beg leave to observe, that after expending at least £400 your Grace will very likely have the Govr Tenant, at £20 p ann, for the house offices & garden - and probably an advance of £12 rent for the land - I will not presunme to suggest the casualties attending a transitory tenant to the houses, & rack rent to the lands. But your Grace will be pleased to consider the unnecessary disadvantages and impropriety of obliging the lessee to accomodate the Govr with what lands they wanted occassionally, tho' on my situation it might be rather agreeable.
A lease on any of these terms your Grace will, I hope find as advantagious to your Grace, as it may be beneficial to me - Hoever the rejecting these proposals, will be no disappointment, tho' the acceptance I should receive as a favor from your Grace, added to the Honor and many obligations conferred by your Grace's family, and your Grace may be well assured of my zealous endeavors, to approve myself, with the utmost gratitude and respect.
My Lord Duke &c John Quayle
P.S. Govr Smith (in whose favor I am very happy) had frequent conferences with me, upon your Grace's affairs; in confidence he was very open and candid, much inclined to facilitate matters to your Graces satisfaction - and I hope this winter the line may be drawn, which occasions ay present great difficulties in many particulars.
Dunkeld Novbr 23d 1777
Gentlemen
Yours of the 23d of Oct I have just received and relying on Mr Quayle have returned the lease filled up; I could have wished you had sent me the form of a presentation as that being neglected has been the occasion of my signing one not drawn up in the usual form which is on many accounts very disagreeable to me
From your and the Bishop's recommendation of Mr Clucas I shall prefer him to the Vicarage of Malew. I had wrote to the Bishop desiring he would send me over a presentation which I would fill up, but, now knowing the form of one that is needless.
I wish you to act as you think will be nost conducive towards settling the afairs of Malew Chancel, I shall agree to anny thing you send me will promote that end.
I am sorry to hear you meet with any difficulty in gathering the rents, it is much my wish and shall be my endeavour to settle and ascertain my rights with the Crown as soon as possible.
The notes you last inclosed viz [..] making together £301 10 sterling came safe.
I cannot answer the article with respect to Mrs Wood as the accounts with her were not sent. I shall expect the revenue accounts to be brought up to the present time soon at the same time I could wish to have those articles marked which you find troublesome to collect.
I am &c Atholl
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