[From Home Office File HO 98/66 ]

Lt Govr Smelt to J King dated Castletown Isle of Man 14th Sept 1805

Dear Sir

I called to make my bow at the Secretary of State's Office before I left London, but being informed that Lord Hawkesbury was not returned from Weymouth and that many people were waiting to see you upon business, I did not think it proper to trouble you with a visit.

The great expences I have lately been forced to incur in furnishing the Government House from England, and in equipping myself in other respects for my situation here, oblige me to request you would be pleased to put Lord Hawkesbury in mind of my last letter on the subject of the Inspectorate of Volunteers, and also (of recommending the Treasury to pay my salary as Lt Governor quarterly, instead of annually) I am pursuaded that if his Lordship could have the goodness to represent to the Duke of York the necessity of the above mentioned appointment, his Royal Highness gracious disposition towards me would induce him to select me for such a [].

I shall be much obliged to you if you would represent to his Lordship the increased price of every thing, since the salary of my predecesspr was settled, and the independant advantages he enjoyed also from his commission in the Manx Fencibles.

On my return to this Island a week ago, I found the repairs of the Governor's house so far advanced that I hope to move my family into it less than a fortnight, and as soon as the work is all finished, I shall send proper vouchers to Lord Hawkesbury for the expenditure.

There being no market for vegetables in this town, and the Duke of Atholl having lett the garden (hitherto attached to the Government house) in such a way that it cannot be recovered for the use of the Lieutenant Governor. I am on that account induced to hope, that if I shall be able to save twenty or thirty pounds out of the sum allowed for repairing the house, by Lord Hawkesbury will have the goodness to permit me to apply it to the purpose of forming a garden, within the precincts of the Castle.

I am &c C Smelt

P.S. I have put on the other side the names and strength of the different corps on this island.

Notes