[From Atholl Papers - AP X10-5]

[Report by Gov Cochrane] No 3 Febr 27^th 1760

My Lord

My last was No 2 Jan 17 and last week I had the honour of your Grace's letter of the 14^th of last month It lay some time at Liverpoole before an oppertunity offered for this Island upon account of the stormy weather and very bad weather we have had A coal vessel was cast away by Douglass att nine a clock in the morning in light of shore a thousand people and no relief could be given them and nine men drowned and the vessel beat all to pieces The anchors ropes and other things will I believe come to about sixty pounds

Your Grace's receipt for £848 12 6 I have delived to the receiver and we are makeing ready another sum of money to send to Liverpoole when Capt Lace arrives hear If Monsieur Thurot does not take it from us by several vessels arrived here from Ireland yesterday that gentleman landed att Carrickfergus about ten miles from Belfast took a small fort there and carryed off some French prisoners and don a gerat deal of mischief the particulars we have not yett gott

The commissioners have now finished the examination of the witnesses but Mr Stevenson is not pleasedso I hear he is to apply to Mr Hoskins for a new commission to examine witnesses over again Finds I believe that the affair will goe against him so wants to putt of the evil day as long as he can All I now want is to have this affair hear'd and determined which Mr Hammersley could doe if he pleased but he will not answer my letters which is a great prejudiice to your Grace's affairs in this Island I suspect he has too much business

Inclosed is a petition from one Mr Gordon - a relation of my Lord Kenmeres who followed business some time at Liverpoole and comes from hence with a very good character

In my last I acquainted your Grace that a shipe was landed and carryed into Corke in Ireland and tho' there was a great quantity of teas aboard yett the commissioners after examining into matters ordered the shipe to proceed to the Isle of Mann and arryved she is an affair of great consequence to this Island.

Arryved here from Bourdeau about 1200 hodges of Claret all for the West Indians a new branch of trade we never had before I am with great esteem

My Lord Your Grace's Most faithfull and most obedient humble servant

Basil Cochrane