[From Home Office File HO 98/74 Potential of Castle Mona - 1826]

Potential Use of Castle Mona - 1826

The following was an extract of a letter from Mr Webster to Baron Maule dated 23rd May 1826 - the former was a valuer employed by the Treasury to determine what valuation should be placed on the Duke of Atholl's manorial rights - Maule was in charge of these negotions which were coming to a head at this time - this extract was sent to Henry Hobhouse permanent under-Secretary at the Home Office and who handled most of the Island's dealing with Whitehall.. The real property of the Duke was not included in the considerations (much was already mortgaged to Holmes the bankers).

The attempt to raise a tithe of the green crops (potatoes and turnips) had provoked riots in October 1825 calmed by the arrival of troops and the Bishop's statement that he would forego the tithe, but the affair effectively signalled the end of his Bishoprick. James McCrone was the Bishop's much detested proctor in charge of gathering the tithe.

Text

Isle of Man 23d May 1826

Sir

I have been favored with your letter of 11th Inst and I assure you it affords me much pleasure and satisfaction.

I shall be anxious to hear from you as to the Mines also as to Mona Castle upon these two points the next part may probably bring some intelligence from you. I speak of the latter (Mona) in consequence of the Bishop whom I saw yesterday telling me the Duke had determined not to part with it - had I heard this from any other quarter I should not have noticed it but coming as it does I am bound to mention it to you and ask your directions thereon whether or not it is to be valued your instructions of the 7th April stated that it was to be valued - I cannot help saying I think it will be regretted hereafter if this Building is not in the hands of Government - there are so many points connected with it - circumstances so much interwoven with it, that to pass it by, will be to regret it hereafter - the House is an Excellent one in regard to substantial conditions and with some alteration is capable of infinite advantages for Government purposes as I should endeavour to shew in my Report and it must be to the Duke's advantage to part with it and it will most unquestionably be to the advantage of Government to possess it - the expence to be saved hereafter would be vast as Mona Castle is a fit Residence for the Governor, Lieut Governor, and capable of many other purposes & possesses most peculiar advantages which no other place in the Island has - and moreover the less influence the Duke has in the Island the better - there will never I fear be any peace whilst he or his Family have any power in the place.

I am confirmed in this Opinion from the interview I had yesterday with the Bishop - His Lordship tells me he leaves (with his Family) this Island in two or three weeks not to return to it again and his Agents must fight the battles, and Mr McCrone tells me notwithstanding the Bishops declarations of last year, to the contrary that they mean to have the Potatoe Crops this year so what there is a fair promise of some warm scenes and when it is recollected that the Bishop declares that he would not revive the question during his life time, and it is understood, and that is not the least serious part of the Question, such promise was repeated, under no moment of fear, or apprehensions, or alarm - but given at an after time when things had subsided, this present declaration will not be a little extraordinary & painful - extraordinary from the circumstance that the resignation of the point in dispute was made in moments free from irritation & provocation - and painful - that such facts should be passed over and disregarded and that the scenes of last year are to be revived again - his Lordship's absence therefor promises no abatement of these feelings of ill will and scenes of contention and strife.

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