[From Home Office File HO 98/64]

Atholl applies for Governorship - 12 Feb 1791

Duke of Atholl to Lord Grenville

Hanover Square Febr 12th 1791

My Lord

Perfectly satisfied that the Object for which I ask, is Consistant with the Interest of the Crown, and the Good of the Isle of Mann to be granted; Permit me to request that your Lordship will be pleased to lay before the King, my most humble Desire, to be appointed Governor of the Isle of Mann, with such Sallary as his Majesty may think adequate.

It would be my Duty as well as inclination were I intrusted with that situation, to discharge the Duties of it properly. I do not mean (asking for this) to consider it as a Sinecure; On the Contrary, I should Personally reside in the Isle of Mann at least three or four Months in every year; I have an attachment to, and Interests in, the happiness and wellfare of the Inhabitants there, and having very lately had the satisfaction of seeing that that feeling is mutual, makes me still more anxious to return among them with a power to do good as Governor of the Island.

And as I defy any Man to permit out One Single Instance, whereby, by my being appointed such, the Interest of the Crown could suffer; I have every hope that His Majesty will be graciously pleased to listen to my Humble Request; more especially, as I am confident, were I placed in that situation, I, could more effectually prevent than any other Person, Illicit Practices, which at this moment essentially improve the British Revenues.

Besides having it in my power by being Governor of the Isle of Mann to guard the Interests of the Crown by preventing Illicit Practices, I should be able to attend to the wellfare of the Inhabitants, and Personally to oversee and consequently protect my Own Estates, which will otherwise in a very few years be But the Shadows of what they were.

I must beg leave most earnestly to intreat, that your Lordship will be so obliging as to take an early opportunity of laying, this my most humble Request, before the King; that His Majesties Pleasure thereon being known, my Mind may be relieved from the Situation of Anxious Suspence It has undergone for upwards of sixteen years respecting the Isle of Mann.

I have the honour &c Atholl

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