[From Home Office File HO 98/74 ]

Deemster John Christian to Lt Govr Smelt re dealings with Bishop on 3rd Nov 1824

Fort Ann Dec 31 1825

Hon Sir

I feel called upon to offer some remarks upon the "Statement" made by the Lord Bishop. which as far as my name in introduced conveys a partial and incorrect account of what passed between him & me on the Evening of the 3rd Nov.

I began by stating that I had called at that late hour, for the purpose of accrediting the Coroner of Rushen, whose statements, as an honest and respectable Man, might be entirely depended upon - and after making a few general remarks & expressing my deep regret at what was going on, I desired that the Coroner might be admitted.

As soon as the Bishop had read the Petition and made some Observations on the contents thereof, the Conversation turned upon the turbulent State of the two Sothern Parishes, and the proceedibgs that had been admitted for the apprehension of the Rioters. I distinctly stated, that I was quite unacquainted with what had taken place, not having been at Castletown for some time before that day; and therefore I could only speak from common rumour - I observed to his Lordship, that I could not but fear if the Riots continued, that he might be exposed to some degree of personal danger; but he set my apprehensions at rest, by assuring me that he had no fear whatsoever either for himself or family, and that he was fully prepared to defend himself at B'Court.

The Coroner fully explained to his Lordship the distressed state of the pooer Classes in the Parishes of Rushen & Arbory, from the failure of the herring fishery, & the bad potatoe Crop, and that their only food was potatoes & salt. The Bishop seemed not to be aware of the extent of their poverty. and expressed himself feelingly on the subject - and his first idea was to write to you by the Coroner, and to authorize you to act in the matter of the Petition, as you might think best, under existing circumstances, however he gave up this plan, on my assuring him, that you would certainly decline taking upon yourself the responsibility of deciding as to the relinquishment of the Tithe for the present year, and that your sole case would be directed to the preservation of the public peace. I then suggested the propriety of his driving up to C'Town in the morning, when he might have the benefit of consulting with you & others on the most prudent course to be pursued, and I took my leave, under a full persuasion, that the sole point, on which I had given any opinion, for which I could be held responsible was his going up to C'Town in person, instead of writing by the Coroner.

The above is a fair account of what passed at our meeting and I would remark, that the Bishop appeared strongly impressed with my friendly conduct on the occasion, and on parting, he offered me his hand, for the first time, since the great offence of W Ropers dismissal from the Bar.

2ndly nothing spoken by me, could have excited his fear; for he disclaimed having any: and I was so far from urging him to any hasty concession, that I wished him to think well on the subject, and to advice with those who had seen everything from the very first, and who would tell him more truth, than he could hope to hear in his owm immediate circle at home.

3d Had I meant ill by his Lordship, I should have rather irritated than allayed his feelings but I was sensible, that the moment was of great importance as well to his Lordship as to the peace of the Country, and I wished the decision, that was to be made on the prayer of the Petition, to be maturely weighed, and acted upon with as little delay as possible.

I conclude by expressing my confident hope, that neither his Majesty's Government nor yourself will listen to any insinuations to my predjudice, or that I could have any view whatever, but a sincere regard to the Bishop's welfare, in the visit which I made him.

I acted with the best intentions, and were it to do again, I should address his Lordship in the same language of truth, and with the same desire of doing him a real service.

I have the honor &c J. Christian

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