[From Atholl Papers - AP X17-6]

[Report ]No 3 [by Governor Wood 21 April 1763]

My Lord

I had the honor to receive your Graces favour of the 5th inst and am sorry it was not in my power to make the last a more considerable remittance. Were your Grace sensible of the great scarcity of cash here at this time, your Grace would find it required no small pains to procure payment of £535 Brit before it became due; thr purchasers of the tythes alledged that Easter was the time of the comencement & consequently of payment. Mr Banks who purchased Conchan Parish at £17 17 11 intended to pay a good part of it, but thro' disappointment is obliged to give his bond.

As to the Revenues, your Grace will find by the Abstract (which will be sent with my next) that the Imports have fallen short this quarter, greatly owing to the failure of Thompson and Janson? of Douglas for upwards of £20,000 which has had such effect upon the trade, that the Merchts (as the Collectors inform me) require more than ordinary indulgence; however things begin to appear with a better aspect, and I hope soon to see Trade flourish as usual. I have ordered the collectors to get all the outstandings in their power, and by the return of Chas Lace, who is soon expected, your Grace shall have a remittance of all the money that can be collected.

Herewith your Grace will receive eight conveyances of tythes being all that is yet compleat; and tho' it was stipulated with Mr Heywood to take his bond, yet I hope to prevail with him to pay cash upon delivery of the deed. The Comptroller says his money is ready. As Winhaleys bill did not fall under the course of my administration or knowledge, the information I gave your Grace in No 1 was the best I could obtain; and tho' your Grace (in the postscript) was pleased to intimate, that, in the case I thought the payment of Mr Winhelys was absolutely necassery your Grace would give orders about iut accordingly; yet as I am intirely unacquainted with accounts of the kind, and cannot hope to be better informed here (for those reasons alone) I beg your Grace will permitte me to decline it.

Iam &c

Castletown 21 April 1763