[From Atholl Papers - AP 49-9]

[James McCrone to Duke - 20 March 1825]

Castle Mona 20 March 1825

My Lord Duke

I have had an application from Mr Dixon for the situation on which the old Burnt Mill stands on which he means to build ther 4 houses.

I you give him this stance (of which I can see no objection if he be taken bound to build immediately conform to the ground plan), care must be taken that he shall not make any use of the water for any public work, or in short for any thing more than to supply the premises for family use, and liberty must be reserved to a take a supply therefrom to any other part of the Crescent.

I do not know whether it is for himself or for some other person but he says the building will be commenced whereon possession is got. Please therefore to enable me to give him an answer as soon as convenient.

There has no further communication from the Manchester Gentleman, which is rather odd.

The greater part of the Cottages & Houses on the Crescents are either let or bespoke (and all the houses in Douglas, excepting one, are disposed of for the insuing year.

Most of them were empty, and to prevent them from continuing so, I have accepted of such rents for one year, as I could get, Taggart has taken the one at the Seneschels Court at 50% of rent or the purchase price and I have promised that he shall have it for five years, & in consequence, he has put it into excellent repair at his own expense.

Before I received notice of the 50 Pamphlets being sent. The Lord Bishop & Mr Stuart had directed me to agree with Mr Jefferson for 200 copies, & to give him liberty to print more on his own account & sell them. After getting notice of the 50 I offered to cancell the order, but they said no - If your Grace wish it therefore the 50 copies may be replaced - After Easter I shall send your Grace an account current of my Intermissions? since the last balance and in the meantime I enclose for your Graces signature a receipt and duplicate for the quarters salary falling due on the 10th inst, which I shall send entire to your Grace without passing it through my books.

I have the honor to be &c James McCrone

I shall enquire into Widow Bells case tomorrow is Mungos day for communicating all and sundry respecting the farming &c &c so I need not truble your Grace on these matters just now.

Since writing the above it is suggested your Grace shd send stamped receipts dated in London for the Salary - Mischievous times

Notes

The salary was that due to the Duke as Governor in Chief