[From Home Office File HO 98/66 ]

Duke of Atholl to Charles Yorke dated Dunkeld Dec 7th 1803

Sir

Being of Opinion that it is requisite for his Majestys Service and the good of his Subjects there that the Governor in Chief of the Isle of Mann should at this time be resident; and feeling that the attendance on my Duty as Lieutenant of the extensive and populous County of Perth (which I consider as of more importance to the King's service); will not at present admit of my leaving my station here, to reside in that Isle; I have to request that under these circumstances, you will be so obliging as to lay my humble Petition before His Majesty, I had I may be permitted to resign the situation of Governor in Chief of the Isle of Mann, in favour of my brother Lord Henry Murray now there; and who I can with Confidence recommend as every way fitted for the situation which I humbly sollict to resign in his favour

I have the honour to be &c

Atholl

and a second letter of same date marked Confidential, giving some explanation

Dear Sir

After five and twenty years of hard labour, endeavouring to obviate the hardships and injuries sustained by my family, in consequence of a precipitate, and to them an injurious revestment of the Isle of Mann; after having by degrees obtained an enquiry by Commissioners; a subsequent appointment as Governor, and lastly a further investigation before the Privy Council, now I may say almost at peace; I cannot but feel in the deepest and most poignant degree, the attention which has been largely shewn to recommendations coming through the channel of the Lieut Govr of the Isle, independent of me as Governor; and which in their effects, are fast producing within the Isle of Mann, Party Spirit and animosities which but for that independence, the Lieut Govr feels he has lately acquired, would never have arisen.

When I had the honour of recovering my commission as Governor, I did understand (and I took my commission on that understanding) that the superintendence of the Isle was meant to be commoted to my charge; and in fact since that appointment, no measure of importance, up to last Summer, has been carried into effect without my full knowledge and recommendations neither is the Isle of Mann within [...] or Volunteers Act passed last session of Parliament. The Lieut Governor however, feeling from the attention paid to his recommendations respecting the Volunteers, and prodded to exercise his new accquired authority has since called the Keys of the Island together (a self elected body assuming to themselves the title of representatives of the People) for the purpose of internal taxation from which a more mischievous measure for his Majesty's interest and the good of the Isle of Mann could not be devised; as such I desire to enter my consent against it, should my Bill be sent up for that purpose, and I shall be ready whenever called upon, to prove my oposition.

In short every thing within the Isle of Mann, appears to me to be going very fast into disorder; and I understand that Mr Deemster Crellin since his journey to London openly avers, that through Mr Tierney (to whom Mr Christian Curwen gave them a letter of introduction) every thing in future is to be conducted in the Isle, in my absence, as the Lieut Govr and himself may think fit. That Mr Tierney or any part of his Majestys present Government can wish to depress my family in the Isle of Mann I will not believe; because I feel I am not deserving of such treatment, much the contrary; yet what I have mentioned has been publickley reported in the Isle.

There is but one mode to obviate the mischief brewing in the Isle of Mann; I am sorry to be obliged to resort to it, but I see no alternative.

The mode I have to propose, is to resign my Commission as Governor and for his Majesty to appoint my brother Lord Henry Murray (who is now in the Isle of Mann) in my place.

I deeply regret resigning for I had many things in contemplation (when my duty in this part of N. Britain would allow of my going there) to propose and carry into effect for his Majestys service and the good of the Isle of Mann; yet I see no measure short of the one I propose, that would be effectual to stem the torrent of mischief beginning to rise.

I have therefore to request that you would be so obliging as to lay the inclosed official letter before his Majesty; containing my humble desire to resign the Government of the Isle of Mann in favour of my brother Lord Henry Murray; and in the case of his Majesty approving my recommendation, I shall consider the expectation of Lord Henry's Commission, so that he may receive it as soon as possible a particular favour.

As I propose being in London whenever my duty here will admit; I should further consider it as very obliging on you, to postpone the consideration even of an increase of £75 to Deemster Crellin's sallary until I have had an opportunity of laying all matters respecting the Isle of Mann in person before you.

I remain &c Atholl

Atholl's hand is not always easy to read, especially if he was obviously angry when writing it, coupled with tight binding of some documents make some words difficult to make out. Charles Yorke was the official in the Northern department of the Home Office under Lord Hawkesbury, to whom the various report and letters from the Manx Governors were directed.

Notes

Atholl had been appointed Governor-in-Chief in 1793 upon the resignation of Governor Smith, however Lt Governor Shaw had been appointed two years prior following the resignation of Lt Governor Dawson on grounds of ill health.

The relationship between Atholl and Shaw was never good and for most of Shaw's tenancy was bad to very bad. Atholl, a domineering personality, apparently expected a master-slave relationship and soon started to attempt to remove Shaw, the suspicion that Atholl wanted his brother Lord Henry Murray to occupy the post arose quite early (see letter of Shaw to J King dated 17th Oct 1795).

This letter was not acted upon at the time, though Shaw was in poor health and was willing to resign if he could obtain a suitable financial package.