HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2023
[From Atholl Papers - AP 35 1-14]
Very little of note is covered in these letters though they indicate the amount of cash being sent regularly to the Duke. The two surviving from 1762 are to the 2nd Duke - the cessation of arms referred to in December was the ending of the war with France which ceded Canada to the British Crown. "My Lady Charlotte" was the 2nd Duke's surviving child who married her cousin, later the 3rd Duke and through her as sole remaining descendant of the blood line of Earl James, become Lord of Man.
AP 35-1 6 March 1762
[Governor Wood to Duke]
Sir
I had the honor of yours by Mr Searle who Arrived here a few days ago, and beg leave to Asure you, that nothing (in my Power) shall be wanting, where it can in the least Contribute to Mr Searle's happiness in this part of the World. Any Person who can Claim the smallest Connection with you, are well Entitled to every kind of Nottice from me, otherwise I should deem myself most Unworthy of these Favours, which you have (upon every Occassion) been good enough to bestow upon me.
There is nothing very interesting Occurs here at present, the Merchants indeed seem to be a little apprehensive, that the Spanish War may in some Measure injure the Trade of this Island, however from the reasons offer'd, it Appears to me, that a Method may be fallen upon, to remove their Grevances, and for which purpose I propose going to Douglas to Morrow. Mrs Wood & I beg leave to Present our most respectfull Compliments to you and My Lady Charlotte and have the honor &c
John Wood
Castletown 6 March 1762
AP 35-2 4th December 1762
[Governor Wood to Duke]
Sir
In Consequence of your Directions, I take this Opportunity of Acquainting you, that the Box with the Tythe Conveyances are Arrived safe. A few Days ago I received his Majestys Commands Ordering a Proclamation of the Cessation of Arms, which I'm in hopes will give a little more Spirit to the Trade of this Island, which for these some Months past, seem'd rather upon the Decline. I hope this will find you, My Lady Charlotte, and all the Family well, to whom Mrs Wood joins in Offering our most respectfull Complts And I am &c
John Wood
Castletown 4 Decr 1762
AP 35-3 13th April 1763
[Governor Wood to Duke]
Sir
I beg leave to Introduce myself with an Apology, for the Liberty I have taken in giving you this Trouble, but as it proceeds from the request of Mr Quillin the Attorney General of this Island, who desired the honor of making you a Bow, hope you will be good enough to Excuse it; And as the Bearer will no doubt Communicate to you, what you may be Pleased to be Informed of in regard to the Occurances here shall not therefore Enroach further upon your time. Mrs Wood & I beg leave to offer? our most humble Duty to you & My Lady Charlotte and have the honor &c
John Wood
Castletown 13 April 1763
From this letter Governor Wood is writing to the 3rd Duke (previously identified as My Murray in letters of 1761) - this would require new commissions for him and other officers - all of whom the 3rd Duke kept in post. Wood had previously allowed John Taubman, by this time a major merchant, to act as deputy to his uncle Deemster John Taubman during the latter's illnesses - on the death of Deemster Taubman Wood had given a temporary commission to Taubman to act as Deemster until the wishes of the Lord be known - however there were several, including the previous Governor Basil Cochrane who had written to the Duke about the conflicts of interest etc that might arise when a merchant thus became a member of Council. Wood was forced to withdraw the commission.
The Attorney-General had also died and Wood had not been keen on the suggested replacement John Quillin - however he was in some difficulties in communicating these reservations to the Duke as Quillin had married into the Quayle family anf John Quayle, Clerk of the Rolls and Comptroller and sometime secretary to Wood , was Quillin's bother in law.
AP 35-5 31 January 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke No 1]
Sir
Yesterday I received your Letter of the 13th inst containing the Melancholy Account of the Demise of our late most worthy Lord & Master And I sincerely Console with you and Our good Lady the Unhappy Duchess.
In Pursuance of the general Commission with which you have been pleased to Honor me & the Officers, I have appointed this day at Twelve a Clock for our being Sworn into Office; But as I can find no Rule upon Record or otherwise, must have recourse to what may seem most Proper upon such an Occassion; I have therefore appointed Sunday next for going into Mourning and Propose that Myself & Officers go to Chappel in Town, The Pulpit and the Lords Gallery to be hung with Mourning, a Sermon to be Preached suitable to the Occassion; And upon Our Return from Chappel Minute Guns to be fired for an Hour. As to hanging Mourning in the Parish Chgurches, Enquiry shall be made & if it has been Usual shall not be omitted, and no Company shall be meeting to Express the Outmost respect to the Memory of Our Deceased Lord.
On the 7th Ult I made a Remittance of £1100 Brit & Transmitted the Michaelmas Abstract by Charles Lace who was by contrary Winds & Storms detained here a long time after, but I have heard of his Safe Arrival at Liverpool of which no doubt you have received a Satisfactory Account upon the Return of Charles Lace (who is in general Entrusted with the Remittances) you may Expect whatever Money can be had, together with the Abstract ending at Christmass - The Revenue Books will be Delivered You by the Bearer.
In Consequence of Lord Sandwich's Letter Transmitted to me, I applyed to Mr Castley for his Vote in his Lordships favour agt the Election for the High Steward of the University of Cambridge, And Mr Castley has Declared for him amd wrote his Lordship accordingly.
What you are pleased to Mention relative to your Scots Titles shall be Observed, And I shall be glad to be Instructed how the Stile & Title of the Lordship of this Isle is for the future to be designed. To hear a Confirmation of your Family Honors and that they may Ever Continue to you, Our Good Lady, & your Offspring are the most Ardent Wishes of him who has the Honor &c
John Wood
Castletown 31 Jany 1764
The Officers in general beg leave to Present their most humble Condolence & respects to you & The Lady And return you many Thanks for the Honor you have done them.
AP 35-6 16 February 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke No 2 ]
Sir
Yours of the 23d Ult I had the honor to receive yesterday; As Thomas sailed from Douglas for Liverpool about a Week ago, you will no doubt have received my Answer to yours of the 13th before this reaches London. As I mentioned every thing as fully as I can in my Letter No 14 I shall only repeat I am heartily Sorry, that in my Zeal in what I apprehended to be my Duty has not mett with the Approbation I expected. And when you & My Lady Strange comes to make more Minute Enquirys, I hope you will find that Business has been & still Carried on with great Harmony & Satisfaction to the Publick.
You would no doubt Observe in my Letter No 14 That I had recalled Mr Taubman's interim Commission, In Consequence of a paragraph in his late Grace's last letter to me upon that Subject dated 10th Novr Vizt "Meantime tho I will not recall the Deputation you Ordered in the Interim for young Taubman, I rather wish if that Step was taken in no Concert with the Council That the Surviving Deemster had taken the trouble and had the Perquisites of both till We had Concerted a Successor agreeable to Established Rules & the most Unacceptionable to the Island that might be thought of" Another Paragraph of the same Letter I beg leave to Relate, which could only Induce me to give the Attorney Generals Character so much at large in Writing Vizt "I should Wish to know the grounds of your Scruples now, for you may be Sure whatever they are that they will be perfectly Safe & will go no farther, And if Convincing will meet with due regard for I shall be as tender in Support of your Authority & Every Priviledge of the Governor, as to what relates to Matters of my Own Interest, with which it is so closely United".
When I have the honor of Seeing you & My Lady Strange, which I propose so Soon as I have your Permissions, and the Business of the Island will Permitt, as I have likewise some Business of my own to Transact in Scotland, I then flatter myself I may be Able to Satisfy both you & her Ladyship as to my former Proceedings. And I have the honor &c
John Wood
Castletown Febry 16th 1764
I should be glad to know if My Letter No 1st Addressed to his late Grace came to hand. Captain Lace is daily Expected for whom a remittance is ready.
AP 35-7 8th March 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke No 3]
My Lord
Captain Lace is but just now arrived, tho I have Expected him every day this Week past, And by whom I send a Remittance to Mr Tarleton at Liverpool of £1500 Brit in which Sum is included £13.6.0 Tithe Money. I hope by the Time he returns to have another Remittance ready.
A few days ago I had the Honor of your Graces favr of the 16th Ult (No 2) Inclosing a Proclamation which shall be properly promulgated, orders being Sent to the different Towns for that purpose, And I beg leave to Congratulate your Grace upon the Establishment of the Family Honors, which I sincerely Wish may long Continue & your Grace & your Offspring.
The Abstract of the Imports from Michaelmass to Christmass (which Accompanys this) will fully lay before your Grace the State of the Trade, and leaves me nothing to Add but that Several Ships bound for this Isle have been Wrecked by which your Graces Revenues have Suffer'd - Whenever any thing relative to the Government & Trade of this Isle becomes the least Worthy of your Graces Nottice, I shall not be wanting in Informing your Grace thereof from time to time.
As I have in my last (No 2) answerd that paragraph of your Graces Letter, recommending Harmony & Cordiality amongst the Officers, have only now to Add, That when your Grace comes to know further, you will find I have been no ways deficient in that particular.
As to the Deemster's Office, your Grace will likewise Observe That I followed his late Grace's Inclinations, So that Deemster Lace continues to Officiate for both Untill your Graces are pleased to Appoint another; Shall only further Observe That Whatever was his late Graces Intentions or Whatever may be your Graces Inclinations, was, and shall always be a Rule to me, and I hope your Graces will be Convinced that I only Acted as I thought I was in Duty bound from the Openings his late Grace was pleased to give me, I have the honor &c
John Wood
Castletown March 8th 1764
AP 35-8 13th March 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke No 4]
My Lord
Upon the 8th Inst I wrote your Grace (No 3) Abd Sent a Remittance of £1500 Brit. The Address of the Governor Officers & Deemster of your Graces Isle Accompanys this. The Lord Bishop & Clergy and likewise the Keys have done me the Honor to have their Addresses transmitted to your Graces, thro' my Hands, which are also sent in two Packets. And I beg leave to assure your Grace That these Testimonys of Our Duty should not have been so long postponed, had I not waited for the Ascerrtainment of your Graces Family Titles.
Yesterday Mr Castley (your Graces Chaplain) received a Letter by Express from my Lord Sandwich desiring his attendance at the Election of a High Steward for the University of Cambridge; And as I had his late Graces Directions upon that Subject, and though it woulkd be Agreeable to your Grace, have recommended to him the Outmost Expedition, especially as he is Expected there by the 22d Inst. And I have the honor &c
John Wood
Castletown March 13th 1764
AP 35-9 7th April 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke No 5]
My Lord
Captain Lace as he was bound to Liverpool called to know if there was a Sum ready to be Sent; And as it was his late Graces Instructions (and having nothing to the Contrary from your Grace) That I was always to remitt whenever there was £700 ready & an opportunity offer'd, I have therefore remitted for your Graces Use to Mr Tarleton at Liverpool £800 Brit, As Capt Lace only waits the receipt of the Money, have only time to add That I have the honor &c
John Wood
Castletown April 7th 1764
There would appear to be no No 6 in the collection
AP 35-10 1st May 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke No 7]
My Lord
As I am just now upon the Sheading Courts at Peeltown, and by an Express from the Receiver General, find that Capt Lace has called at Castletown, & sails next Tide, have therefor only time to Acquaint your Grace, that I have Order'd a Remittance to be made on your Graces Acct of £1000 Brit to Mr Tarleton at Liverpool.
I must likewise Signify that I have (at the same time) the honor of your Graces of the 22 Ult; And to find both your Graces Doubts removed, gives me great Satisfaction.
I shall be Sure to pay all due Obedience to the Contracts. And I have the honor &c
John Wood
Peeltown 1 May 1764
Governor Wood would appear to have taken some leave and taken his family back to Scotland - with it seems major problems in returning to the Island
AP 35-12 4th September 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke from Corse]
I had the Honor of your Graces Letter of the 24 Ult two days ago, and shal pay all due regard to the Contracts; And tho' I did not (on Mrs Woods Acct) propose leaving this 'till after the Equinoctal Storm, yet In Consequence of your Graces Pleasure have now wrote to the Island for a Vessel, as I cannot depend upon getting one here, with the lttle Conveniencys necessary for Transporting my Wife & Children, which so Soon as it arrives shall be ready to Sett out. In the Meantime (to prevent delays) as your Grace desires me to gett you the Opinion of the Officers how far they think this Order of Council Consistant with the Rights & Privileges of the Island & have for that Purpose wrote the Dpty Governor to Call a Council & Send me their Opinions, which I shall transmit your Grace from this if it comes to hand before I sett Out, if not i shall send it immediately upon my Arrival in the Island. I have likewise Observed to the Dpty Governor, That in the present Situation of Affairs, it would appear Eligable to Manage matter with as much Prudence & Propriety as the Times will admitt of, untill your Graces Pleasure is further known. I have the honor &c
John Wood
Course near Dumfries Sept 4th 1764
AP 35-13 6th October 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke]
My Lord
The disappointment I have mett with in getting a vessell to carry me over, gives me much concern; for tho' my first Intention was to have one from the Island, yet upon hearing there was then a Sloop expected every day at Dumfries, I immediately hyr'd her; and about three Weeks ago when I was ready to sett out, I received a Letter from the Master letting me know that She was loaded with Lime & Nipp'd in the Mouth of the River below Dumfries, therefor his going with me became Uncertain upon which I furthwith wrote to Liverpool for a Pilot Boat, who proposed Sailing for Kircudbright the 24th Ult, And have only this day received Advice of her Arrival, and that She has been detained by Contrary Winds, however I hope now to be soon in the island, when I shall certainly write your Grace.
I mentioned to your Grace in my last of my having wrote the Dpty Governor relative to your Graces Directions as to the Order of Council, but have not had any reply I have the honor &c
John Wood
Course near Dumfries 6th Oct 1764
I have just now received a Letter from the Dpty Governor with the Inclosed Opinion of the Officers. I send the Letter to shew your Grace, that there is no great disturbances in the Island, otherwise it is to be presumed he would have mentioned something of it. There likewise Accompanys this in a Seperate Packet a Petition from the Merchts of the Island, which was transmitted me by the Dpty Governor about ten days ago, but thought it Eligible to keep it, till I could first send your Grace the Opinion of the Officers.
By this time news had reached the Islands of the Bills being discussed at Westminster to stop the smuggling trade carried on from the Island, which was the major source of the considerable sums being remitted to the Duke as well as the large profits made by the Merchants. One decision of Westminster was to enforce an earlier Act that prohibited the landing of East India goods in Britain, including the Isle of Man, from vessels other than those of the East India Company - by then these East India goods predominantly consisted of Tea which could be supplied more cheaply from the Dutch or Danish East India Companies such that the merchants and especially John Taubman were major importers of. this which arrived in large vessels from Holland.
AP 35-14 23rd October 1764
[Governor Wood to Duke]
My Lord
Tho' the Vessell which I was obliged to write for from Liverpool Sailed from thence 24 Ult, yet I could not make the Island till this afternoon, and tho' unavoidable, have given me great Concern; I was Wind bound Six days at Kircudbright, then after falling down the River and attempting to get out, was obliged to put into a Bay near the Refs? where I was kept Eight days longer; Such a tract of Boistrous South West Winds has not been Remembered.
I am glad to find everything quiet, but from what I can learn there are now some Cutters Stationed in the Bays and round the Island, who have Boarded and Searched some Vessells, but as no Tea Ships have as yet arrived, the Mechts are still at a loss to know what the Nature of their Instructions may be; In the Meantime I have the Satisfaction to hear, that they are now Carrying on a Subscription to make the Expense of every Law Suit General, where it relates to the Execution of such Instructions as may send to Deprive them of their Property And Appear repugnant to the Laws & Constitution of this Isle; to forward which Scheme - no stone shall be left uturn'd, however when I see the Officers and learn more of these Matters shall be Sure to Advise your Grace, likewise payed due attention to your Graces Instructions I wrote your Grace near three Weeks ago, with the Officers Opinion relative to the Order of Council & likewise transmitted the Merchts Petition which was Sent me by the Dpty Governor. I have the honor &c
John Wood
Ramsey 23 Oct 1764
I shall be obliged to put this under Cover otherwise the Contents may be read.
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