Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor
HTML Transcription
© F.Coakley , 2022
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Date
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Brief Description
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| AP_44(A)_1 |
-.-.1817
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Bishop. thanking him for offers of co-operation. There are those in the island jealous of the King's Att.Gen, and wish to degrade him,but he intends to do his duty quietly and sedately. Owing to the long absences of his predecessor his office and functions become almost unknown and there are those who wish them to remain so,but this he will not tolerate, |
| AP_44(A)_2 |
31.12.1819
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Bishop(?) re appointment of McHutchin and Cunningham,which he hopes will lead to an improvement in conditions and the adjustment of the Duke's rights,which he is most anxious to forward. |
| AP_44(A)_3 |
10.3.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. He regrets he cannot cross to the Island during the Equinoctial gales as he has to be back at Lancaster by the 25th March. |
| AP_44(A)_4 |
5.10.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. He feels that the more seldom the Keys meet the better it will be. |
| AP_44(A)_5 |
13.10.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. If the Keys do not meet he considers that after an interval things will settle down and the Duke will find government easy,as "the progressive improvement of the Island, and intercourse with strangers will abate the tide of prejudice,which runs vastly too strong'' He hopes the Duke will not press him to cross. |
| AP_44(A)_6 |
15.11.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. re a memorial sent by the Deemsters to the Govt.which,in his opinion,they had no right to do. |
| AP_44(A)_7 |
21.11.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. re a paragraph in the Rising Sun which, though highly censorious is not serious enough to call for prosecution by the Crown. The paper should be watched however,as the manner in which it crititises the Courts is most unfair.In fact "the Island would be much better governed were there no newspapers at all." As Mr.Cunningham has not followed the good advice given him he must take the consequences. |
| AP_44(A)_8 |
27.11.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Holmes. thanking him for his opinion of Mr.Bell,to whom he proposes to offer £100 per annum if he will be acting Att.-Gen. |
| AP_44(A)_9 |
27.11.1822
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . As a case of murder by poison calls for the presence of the Att.-Gen.to prosecute he has proposed to the Sec.of State that Mr.Bell be appointed Acting Att.-Gen.so that it will not be necessary for Mr.Clarke to cross to the Island. Copy of letter to Sec.of State attached. |
| AP_44(A)_10 |
4.12.1822
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . Mr.Bell will act at the opening enquiry, but has to leave the Island and it will be necessary for J.C. to attend the Court of Gaol Delivery. |
| AP_44(A)_11 |
8.12.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. Mr. Bell declining to accept the post of Acting Att.-Gen. makes things awkward. |
| AP_44(A)_12 | Copy of above,also copy of a letter from J.C, to Bell. Also copy of a letter from J.C. to Deemster Heywood assuring him that an acting Att-Gen will be appointed as soon as possible and enclosing a memo. on the method of administering law in the Island,which he considers to be in many ways incorrect. | |
| AP_44(A)_13 | Copy of the memo mentioned in AP_44(A)_12 | |
| AP_44(A)_14 |
11.12.1822
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . re the appointment of someone else in the place of Mr.Bell. |
| AP_44(A)_15 |
15.12.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. The position is awkward - he hopes it will improve. |
| AP_44(A)_16 |
18.12.1822
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . as he considers that the only person at the Manx Bar fit to act as Att.Gen. is James Quirk,the High Bailiff of Douglas,he suggests that J.C.should recommend him to the Sec. of State as Acting Att.Gen. |
| AP_44(A)_17 |
21.12.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. He has recommended Mr. Quirk,and hopes that Gen.Goldie having returned to the Island he will crush much of the nonsense which has of late occurred in the Keys. |
| AP_44(A)_18 |
29.12.1822
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. trivial. |
| AP_44(A)_19 |
5.1.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. he is giving consideration to the points laid before him by the Duke,but has formed the opinion that the Keys do not form an integral part of the Court of Gaol Delivery. |
| AP_44(A)_20 |
25.12.1822
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . Case for his consideration (see above) |
| AP_44(A)_21 |
8.1.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. Opinion,as requested. With suggested improvements in the procedure for the Court of Gaol Delivery. |
| AP_44(A)_22 |
8.1.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. re an enquiry into the truth of allegations in a petition. (against Deemster Gawne ? N.M. ) |
| AP_44(A)_23 |
2.2.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. re an enquiry into the truth of allegations in a petition. (against Deemster Gawne ? N.M. ) |
| AP_44(A)_24 |
26.2.1823
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . The enquiry into the conduct of Deemster Gawne (on Fell's petition) has had to be postponed,and as it is a very serious matter the Duke feels it essential that J.C. should be present to advise him and asks him to come to the Island. |
| AP_44(A)_25 |
1.3.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. saying he will come. |
| AP_44(A)_26 |
1.3.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. asking to have a room reserved for him. |
| AP_44(A)_27 |
5.3.1823
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . he has received many petitions in favour of Deemster Gawne,got up by his brother - an unwise preceeding in the circumstances. There is a bed for J.C. at Castle Mona. |
| AP_44(A)_28 |
22.3.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. His experiences at Castletown have convinced him of the danger of the present loose administration of the laws and the need of having further legal assistance such as can be given only by an experienced English barrister. Refers to the Duke's efforts "to correct these abuses,which have become almost intolerable" and adds “let me entreat you to hold no more Courts at Castletown,for they expose you to no small inconvenience and suffering." |
| AP_44(A)_29 |
26.3.1823
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Duke to John Christian of Unrig. saying that he remembered a meeting with
him as giving "the first dawning of hope that everyone of consideration
in the Isle might be brought eagerly to join in my plans fraught with advantages
to this Isle". Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) "Your visit has enabled you to see 1st.How miserably I have been assisted as the Head of the Executive here. 2nd.that H.M's Govt. must be better informed about the Island before they take measures concerning it. 3rd.That there has been a tinge of opposition (?) in the office of the Home Secretary fomented and encouraged by base calumniators here,as if I ever had,or could have any motives to regulate my conduct by [other] than what arose from a sincere wish for the welfare of this little Isle,so long ill governed under branches of my Family before the Revestment and under the King's Govt. more especially since Lt.Gov.Smelt was appointed in 1805,since which ...it has been kept back and wrecked by attempting to bring forward the Keys as the executive branch and undermine by degrees the King's prerogative. But with your assistance I expect to do much (?) and you will find me from this time a very constant correspondent. I am sure you will open Mr.Hobhouse's eyes, that I am not that very bad ( ? hard) man that calumniators report,for I much fear many have accused me unjustly." (This letter seems to me to is a very important one,as showing the Duke's sincerity and good intentions in face of the opposition he was meeting with. It has not been easy to decipher,and some parts may read slightly different to what I have made of them N.M.) |
| AP_44(A)_30 |
1.4.1823
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) .Deemster Gawne having been dismissed
the Duke is recommending Mr.John Christian of Unrig fer the vacant post.He
is anxious that judicial matters shall in future be better conducted,and
feels that Mr.Christian "is a truly honest man,which is a character
difficult to find in the judgement seat here". He does not think that
Deemster Heywood should be promoted as "neither his judgement or Law
qualify him for a Deemster at all, much less to be first Deemster". Against Mr.Christian is the fact that he is his father's son,but he has never joined in the latter's politics and is independent of him. He hopes Mr.Clarke will support his nomination. The letter goes on to speak at some length of his relations with Lt.Gov.Smelt who,whenever possible,"overturns every measure of mine calculated for the good of the Isle" so that he has to continue to live there "though with great inconvenience to myself" a situation in which he thinks it very unfair to place him. His repugnance to Smelt is so strong that he can now have nothing to do with him,and now cannot leave the Island for fear of what will happen in his absence. Smelt during his seventeen years in office has not done a single thing for the good of the Island where matters are deteriorating, the Keys being more and more packed,and the King's perogative being more and more encroached upon. |
| AP_44(A)_31 |
3.4.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. unimportant. |
| AP_44(A)_32 |
5.4.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. "I will not fail to suggest that steps be taken to prevent the overturning of your measures in the event of you leaving this Island. You have already effected much...we have made a good beginning. |
| AP_44(A)_33 |
26.4.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. with his opinion on the complaint of Mr. Roper. |
| AP_44(A)_34 |
15.5.1823
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Hobhouse to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) Mr.Peel will appoint Mr. Christian,hoping "that this appointment will promote the conciliatory spirit which is alive in the Island." |
| AP_44(A)_35 |
17.5.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. enclosing the above. |
| AP_44(A)_36 |
19.5.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. unimportant. |
| AP_44(A)_37 |
31.5.1823
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T.A.Corlett (High Bail;iff, Ramsey) to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) asking for a letter to clear him of insinuations that he had maliciously informed on Mr. Cunninghame (Acting Att.Gen.) with regard to that gentleman's conduct in Ramsey,when he had,in fact,merely answered truthfully questions put to him in his official capacity. |
| AP_44(A)_38 |
13.5.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. unimportant. |
| AP_44(A)_39 |
26.6.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. unimportant. |
| AP_44(A)_40 |
28.6.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. unimportant. |
| AP_44(A)_41 |
14.7.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. enclosing an extract from the Times of questions in the House of Commons as to the manner in which J.C. discharged his duties in the Island. (Enclosed N.M.) |
| AP_44(A)_42 |
5.8.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. unimportant. |
| AP_44(A)_43 |
13.10.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. unimportant. |
| AP_44(A)_44 |
17.10.1823
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . asking him to come to the Island as hisassistance is needed 'The Steam Boats will ply, all this month. |
| AP_44(A)_45 |
21.10.1823
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) repeating the above request. |
| AP_44(A)_46 |
28.10.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. He will come if required,but suggests that his presence may do more harm than good. |
| AP_44(A)_47 |
1.11.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to R.Steward. saying he will be glad to assist "the Committee" if called upon. |
| AP_44(A)_48 |
2.11.1823
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James Clarke (Att.Gen.) to Duke. unimportant. |
| AP_44(A)_49 |
7.11.1823
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) ."I regret extremely that you have not come across to perform your official duties...and have allowed others to do what it was your bounden duty to do." |
| AP_44(A)_50 |
18.11.1823
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Duke to James Clarke (Att.Gen.) . expressing the hope that the work which has to be done can be carried out by the acting Att.-Gen. so that there will be no need for J.C. to cross "at this inclement season." |
| AP_44(A)_51 |
23.11.1823
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J.C. to Duke praising Mr. J. Quirk (High Bailiff, Douglas) and suggesting that powers be taken in a Bill to widen streets and remove the Chapel so as to make a Market Place. |
| AP_44(A)_52 |
26.11.1823
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Duke to J.C. enclosing a copy of a memorial from the Keys (not enclosed N. M.) re the need for the Att.-Gen. to reside in the Island. |
| AP_44(A)_53 |
30.11.1823
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J.C. to Duke expressing the hope that the Keys will think better of things before long. |
| AP_44(A)_54 |
2.12.1823
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Duke to J.C. When he sends the Key's Memorial re the non-residence of
the Att,-Gen. to Mr.Peel he will make his remarks on it, as he considers
it to be an attempt to interfere with the executive government of the Island. |
| AP_44(A)_55 |
7.12.1823
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J.C. to Duke regretting that Mr.Curwen had disturbed the good feeling which had begun to exist, and ridiculing the duties which the Keys had sought to impose on the Att.-Gen. at what they considered an adequate salary. |
| AP_44(A)_56 |
17.12.1823
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Duke to J.C. desiring his attendance in the Island. |
| AP_44(A)_57 |
21.12.1823
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J.C. to Duke suggesting a postponement of the Tynwald as heavy business in Liverpool made it difficult for him to get across. |
| AP_44(A)_58 |
28.12.1823
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J.C. to Duke trivial |
| AP_44(A)_59 |
17.1.1824
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J.C. to Duke unconnected with Island |
| AP_44(A)_60 |
17.1.1824
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J.C. to Duke (extract) his passage back to Liverpool was marred by an accident to the ship's engines. He hopes that "a few ill-judging men" will not be able to stand in the way of the passing of so beneficial a measure as the Tythe Bill. |
| AP_44(A)_61 |
24.2.1824
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J.C. to Duke unimportant |
| AP_44(A)_62 |
29.2.1824
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J.C. to Bishop unimportant |
| AP_44(A)_63 |
16.3.1824
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J.C. to Duke unimportant |
| AP_44(A)_64 |
23.3.1824
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J.C. to Duke he is making arrangements for the Duke and himself to see Mr.Peel. The question as to whether the Keys have a right to attend the Court of Gaol Delivery still under discussion. |
| AP_44(A)_65 |
29.3.1824
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J.C. to Duke "I am sorry to observe the force of prejudice and contracted opinions carried to an extent scarcely to be believed .... concessions will only lead to further difficulties. |
| AP_44(A)_66 |
1.4.1824
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J.C. to Duke trivial |
| AP_44(A)_67 |
26.4.1824
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J.C. to Duke trivial |
| AP_44(A)_68 |
11.6.1824
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J.C. to Duke re a suggested increase in the salaries of the Coroners and other officials, |
| AP_44(A)_69 |
8.6.1824
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J.C. to Duke trivial |
| AP_44(A)_70 |
23.6.1824
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J.C. to Duke He counsels patience.The question of the Court of Gaol Delivery is before the Privy Council - let it remain there. Then let the Government make the first move and follow them,for even then we shall not be exempt from misrepresentation. |
| AP_44(A)_71 |
28.7.1824
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J.C. to Duke The late Deemster Gawne is in London,complaining to the Sec.of State - he knows best why. But it would not have been necessary had not the Keys dragged him before the Public in a way which cannot be pleasing to him. |
| AP_44(A)_72 |
13.1.1825
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J.C. to Duke The Privy Council are still considering the business of the Keys and the Court of Gaol Delivery. Deemster Parr's opinion on this with any other relevant papers should be sent to them. |
| AP_44(A)_73 |
11.7.1825
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J.C. to Duke The decision of the Privy Council will probably be that the Keys have no voice in the Court. |
| AP_44(A)_74 |
12.7.1825
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J.C. to Duke The Privy Council has decided as expected. |
| AP_44(A)_75 |
30.11.1825
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Duke to J.C. He understands that he is going to the Island to investigate the recent disturbances there,and as the Bishop is much concerned in this the Duke has asked him not to leave the Island until J.C.has arrived and seen him. |
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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