Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The
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© F.Coakley , 2022
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Brief Description
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| AP_X29(4th)_1 |
15.4.1813
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Duke to Ld. Sidmouth. re. the conduct of Lt.Gov.Smelt. The writer has never considered office of Governor as being a sinecure, but has attended asidulously to the interests of the Island and has been able to effect various imorovements. He has other improvements in mind, but they would need a longer residence in the Island than his other public duties have so far enabled him to make. But he is in close touch with affairs in the Islend and,for this reason, relations between himself and the Lt. Gov, must differ from those between similar officials in other places. It is essential for co-operation between them that the Gov. must be kept informed,officially,of what is done in his absence it is also essential that the person actually representing the King in the Island - whether it be the Governor or the Lt.Gov. - should have facilities and accommodation such as are necessary for the performance of his official duties. The presence of a resident Attorney-General is also necessary. No-one is more aware of this latter fact than the Lt.Gov.,and yet he has thwarted the Duke's insistance on having one by yearly granting leave to the present Att.-Gen. to remain off the Island. This has actually covered periods during which the Duke himself was in the Island and responsible for granting any such leave. This is one instance of the Lt.Gov.'s avowed determination to act in direct opposition to the Duke's plans,and to persue his own - as he did as soon as the Duke was off the Island. He then blames the Lt.Gov. for being the cause of the Press Gang raid on Douglas in 1811 (with detailed reason), and refers to his difficulty in obtaining public documents owing to them being retained by the Lt.Gov. who considers them as being his private property. This was one of the main reasons for the misunderstanding about the occupancy of Govt. House and,as it still continues,makes it very difficult for him to know how to act,as he is unaware of the wishes of the Government as indicated to the Lt. Gov, and might unintentionally act contrary to them. Complains in detail of the inconvenience caused to him, if he does not have the use of Govt.House,while he is presiding in the Courts at Castletown. One such inconvenience was the fact that his only way of reaching the courtroom was by going through the Gaol,while the inn at which he had to stay was a miserable but expensive one. The Att.Gen.'s ruling with regard to the house was made under a misunderstanding of the facts. The insinuation that he had claimed to possess the Castle,as againet the Crown, was utterly false. What he claimed was the right to live in it as the King’s Governor,in the execution of that office. There are many other ways in which the respect due to H.M.'s government is being destroyed in the Island,but to expose them would make it appear a personal matter,and this would be unbecoming to him. He therefor submits this statement for the consideration of Lord Sidmouth. |
| AP_X29(4th)_2 |
16.4.1813
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Duke to Ld. Sidmouth. suggesting the withdrawal of the Manx Bill re. insolvent debtors,and the substitution of one based on somewhat different grounds. |
| AP_X29(4th)_3 |
18.5.1813
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Sidmouth to Lt.Gov. Smelt. authorising him to appoint some person, in the absence of the Att.-Gen., to act as prosecutor on behalf of the Crown at the trial Qulliam. |
| AP_X29(4th)_4 |
22.5.1813
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Duke to Ld. Sidmouth. expressing his surprise that documents which he had himself brought from the Island and delivered to the Sec. of State,with whom he had discussed them, could not receive consideration unless dated and sent from the Island. And,as upon his return to the Island he will have to be in Castletown for some weeks while presiding at the Courts,he asks that possession of the Govt.House may be granted him so that he may not again be put to "the inconvenience and disgraceful appearance of retiring to a paltry inn or lodging,and wading through the dirty streets of Castletown,and through the Gaol yard,to take my seat in the Court as His Majesty's Governor" It is to be clearly inderstood that he has no wish to use the house except at such times as he has to be in Castletown on the public business. |
| AP_X29(4th)_5 |
2.6.1813
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Affidavit by Dr.John Jeffcott that he has had no public employment between the 1st. Jan.1812 and the 30th. June 1813. |
| AP_X29(4th)_6 |
24.6.1813
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Duke to Ld. Sidmouth. Complaining that the Acts which had received the Royal assent were posted to the Lt.-Gov. - although it was known that the Duke was in the Island. Had the Lt.Gov. been absent he (the Duke) could not have opened the packet, and so would never have received them, He asks for news of the Insolvent Debtors bill, about which he expects to be asked questions when Tynwald meets shortly, |
| AP_X29(4th)_7 |
3.7.1813
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Ld Sidmouth to Duke. asking for detailed estimates for the suggested repairs to raole and public buildings, |
| AP_X29(4th)_8 |
16.7.1813
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Duke to Ld. Sidmouth. having official duties to perform in Scotland he Proposes leaving the Island next day,but will return at once should it become necessary for him to do so. |
| AP_X29(4th)_9 |
16.7.1813
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Duke to Sidmouth. Enclosing a resolution of Tynwald,and expressing the belief that he will continue to receive from the Legislatures the same cordial cooperation as he has now done. (Resolution missing. N.M.) |
| AP_X29(4th)_10 |
16.7.1813
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Duke to Sidmouth.with an estimate (as requested in AP_X29(4th)_7 above) prepared by Mr. Bryne -"a most intelligent man well acquainted with every species of public works". This totals £7,765,and he earnestly recommends that the first work undertaken should be the repairs to the Gaols. He proposes that the ground which he has purchased for the erection of a Govt. House should either be valued by a Jury or bought by the government at the price he (the Duke) paid for it.- as the Treasury prefers. |
| AP_X29(4th)_11 |
29.11.1813
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Ld.Sidmouth (Sec.) to Smelt. In the absence of the Duke he is to appoint a surgeon to the Household,and inform Lord Sidmouth who he is. (copy) |
| AP_X29(4th)_12 | Appointment of Dr.J.Jeffcott M.D. by Lt.Gov. Smelt (copy) | |
| AP_X29(4th)_13 |
12.7.1815
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Ld Sidmouth to Duke. saying that he thought the subject of who was the right Surgeon was finished with,and giving a resume of what had happened. |
| AP_X29(4th)_14 |
-.-.1816
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Treasury to Duke. The Treasury,before giving permission for the issue of a new silver coinage in the Island, wish to know whether such a coinage has previously been in circulation at a time when the legal coins of the Realm have alone been current in England. If such was the case,what was their weight and value,and when,and by what authority were they issued. |
| AP_X29(4th)_15 |
27.4.1816
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Ld Sidmouth to Duke. saying that no further forces can be sent to the Island. |
| AP_X29(4th)_16 |
8.5.1816
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Duke to Lord Liverpool (copy) (a long memorial)- The Commission of his predecessor, Gov.Smith,was in terms which made the post a sinecure, and on this account the Lt.Gov. - who was expected to do the work - was granted unusual powers. When the Duke was appointed it was clearly understood that he would himself perform all the duties of a Governor in full. This was largely so that he might put into effect many plans he had for the benefit of the Island,in which he took a deep interest, From the then Lt.Gov. (Shaw) he received full cooperation and was in constant communication. Lt. Gov. Shaw resigned, owing to ill health, in 1805 at which time many of the Keys and other residents in the Island were antagonistic to the Duke because they thought - though quite wrongly - that concessions which he was seeking from the British government were to be made at the expense of the Manx revenues.Lt. Gov. Shaw resigned,owing to ill health, in 1805 at which time many of the Keys and other residents in the Island were antagonistic to the Duke because they thought - though quite wrongly - that concessions which he was seeking from the British government were to be made at the expense of the Manx revenues. Gov.Smelt,who was appointed at this time, was given by hia Commnission the same powers as his predecessors,though there was no need for this as the Duke was far from regarding his post as a sinecure. Since his (the Duke) appointment,and by his efforts,many improvements have been made,particularly in the revenue,where the smuggling has been stopped so that the revenue of the Island has been increased and that of Britain protected. Had his suggestions with regard to civil affairs been carried out there would have been great improvements here also. But they have been thwarted and rendered nugatory because - instead of being supported by the Government,as was to be expected - that support was withdrawn and no co-operation was received from the Lt.Gov. Schemes started by him as Governor were abandoned immediately he left the Island, while the Lt.Gov. boasted of this and kept him in ignorance of what was going on. There is also a party who oppose him, not as an individual,but as the representative of the British government. On laying these matters before Lord Sidmouth in 18I2 he received an assurance that they would be attended to,and on the strength of this he brought his family to the Island and prepared for a long stay. But on his arrival he found that nothing had been done to advance his schemes for the good of the Island,though many new Insular laws and regulations were being brought forward. So,feeling the lack of an Att.-General,and finding that his letters to Lord Sidmouth were either misinterpreted or not attended to, he again went to see him. At this interview it was arranged that the Lt.Gov. should be instructed from London to do as the Duke wished,but,as he now finds,the instructions actually sent were just the opposite (After a long reference to the absence of the Att.-Gen.the letter goes on ) It had been hinted to him that he could not be officially acknowledged as Governor while absent from the Island,though bhe only reasonfor that absence was that he might by a visit to London obtain the attention which his letters did not receive. The repairs to the Gaol and the public buildings,arranged for long since,are still unstarted. The Surgeon to the Household when he appointed has been refused recognition by Lt.Gov.Gmelt,who has appointed another man,and by means of false statements obtained the approval of this by Lord Sidmouth though the Duke made Lord Sidmouth aware of the true facts. The Lt.Gov.has also tried to interfere in Revenue matters by liberating certain men due to be tried for smuggling. But, this improper conduct hase been checked by a severe reprimand sent him by the Treasury. In numerous other ways he has been mortified by Mr.Smelt ever since his appointment, both by his conduct and the support which the Government has afforded him. When first appointed as Governor it was on the understanding that he was to be treated as such in all respects. At first this was done,but since the appointment of Ld. Sidmouth as Secretary of State for the Home Dept. it has become obvious that his object has been to deprive the Duke of all influence in the Island. Of this the opposition in the Island has been made aware and,as a consequence,he is treated as the enemy instead of,as he is, the warmest friend of the Island. It becomes obvious that Lord Sidmouth wishes to heave him superseded as Governor, but as he knows of no reason for this he claims the right,in view of his long and honourable service in other posts,and of his uninterrupted support of the Governmentfor nearly forty years to be told why he is being so treated, |
| AP_X29(4th)_17 |
11.6.1816
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Ld.Sidmouth to Duke. It is not deemed expedient to authorise the raising of more Volunteers, Fears of illicit practices which might cause injury to the Revenue should be communicated to the Treasury,who are responsible for such matters. |
| AP_X29(4th)_18 |
11.5.1816
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Minutes of a meeting of the Council. with the draft of a Bill to authorise the issue of tokens (to the value of fifty thousand pounds British) needed in view of the great shortage of currency which is such that debts cannot be paid or loand made. Fugitive debtors,who spent some forty to fifty thousand pounds per annum in the Island,now - owing to the action of the British government - come no more. On account of this houses are without tenants or let at less than half their former rents so that builders and property owners are in great distress while all classes suffer - not for want of property but because of lack of money,of which the island has been drained in payment for imports,until it has been reduced to a moneyless state. Issues of currency notes by private individuals has resulted in loss to many,as some of the issuers have been unable to redeem their tokens. The position is so bad that prompt measures must be taken to relieve it and save the country from ruin. It is hoped that this scheme will do so. |
| AP_X29(4th)_19 |
25.5.1816
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Ld Liverpool to Duke. After careful consideration of the Duke's letter(AP_X29(4th)_16 above) he has decided that all he can do is to pass it to Lord Sidmouth for his consideration, |
| AP_X29(4th)_20 |
5.6.1816
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Copy of AP_X29(4th)_19 above, + 5.6.1816 Duke to Liverpool, (copy) expressing his surprise and regret at the above answer to a statement sent to him as First Minister for the consideration of all H.M.'s Ministers on the supposition that he,or the Government collectively could consider and remedy a complaint against any particular department. He hopes that Lord Liverpool's expressed belief that Lord Sidmouth,if applied to, will give every consideration to his grievances does not mean that he is expected to approach him again. If it does it will only lead to further lack of attention and procrastination. He will therefor have to consider what further steps he can take to secure the attention due to the interests of the Island and of himself. |
| AP_X29(4th)_21 |
15.5.1816
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Lt.Gov.Smelt to Sidmouth (copy) enclosing AP_X29(4th)_18 above,and asking
a if Government would have any objections to the Bill proposed in it. + 22.5.1816 Ld Sidmouth to Privy Council for Trade (copy) asking for their opinion on the above. + 31.5.1816 Privy Council for Trade to Treasury passing on the enquiry. |
| AP_X29(4th)_22 |
16.6.1816
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Duke to Ld.Sidmouth (copy) (from Whitehaven) Learning that Mr.Frankland
has died he recommends Mr.Robert Steuart for the vacant post of Attorney-General.
+ 21.6.1816 Sidmouth to Duke (copy) regretting that he feels that the appointment should go to some person wholly unconnected with the Island. + 26.6.1816 Duke to Sidmouth (copy) Mr.Steuart is an English barrister born and educated in England whose only connection with the Island which would possibly bias his views is the ownership of a few acres of land there. If this is held against him why was the appointment given to Mr.Gawne - a Manxman born and bred,with numerous relatives there and a considerable estate. He urges in the strongest terms that Mr.Steuart may be appointed. |
| AP_X29(4th)_23 |
21.6.1816
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Ld. Sidmouth to Duke. Original of the copy AP_X29(4th)_22.2 above. |
| AP_X29(4th)_24 |
26.6.1816
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Ld. Sidmouth to Duke. notifying the appointment of Norris Moore and T.Gawne as Deemsters. |
| AP_X29(4th)_25 |
10.8.1816
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Duke to Ld. Sidmouth. Does his refusal to appoint Mr.Steuart mean that he thinks any recommendation made by the Governor of the Island would be inconsistent with the good of the Island ? If so it calls for a full explanation of his reasons for such a supposition. |
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The
Editor |
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