[From Home Office File HO 98/75]

Lt Govr Smelt to Under-Secretary of State Phillips 21 May 1828

Castle Rushen 21st May 1828

Sir

I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 10th Instant informing me that the General Commanding in Chief is desirous to ascertain if it is intended that the Isle of Man should be considered as a permanent Military Station, of such necessity as to make it advisable to incur expense in putting the Barracks in this Island on the same footing as other Barracks in the Kingdom; and requiring me to furnish you for the information of Mr Secretary Peel with my opinion on this Subject.

I have therefore to state for the information of Mr Secretary Peel that a military force has been stationed in this Island and the revestment in the Crown in the year 1765, excepting when occasionally withdrawn for short intervals; and that during the periods of war local forces have been raised and maintained from time to time at considerable expense.

The duties which the Military stationed in this Island have been usually called upon to perform, are, to assist the Civil Officers and the Officers of His Majesty's Revenue in the execution of their duty. The portion of Troops stationed at Castletown has to furnish a Guard for the Castle, the Gaol and the Depositaries of the Public Records; the other portion stationed at Douglas has to furnish a Guard for the Custom House and Magazine.

During the Herring Fishing Season which commences in the Month of June a great number of Fishing Boats resort to this Island from Ireland and the Coast of Cornwall - the Irish Boats alone were last year manned with 1000 Men and either for want of ability or inclination on the part of the Irish Fishermen great difficulties were experienced in collecting the Harbour dues, imposed by Act of Parliament on every Boat fishing on the Coast of this Island. Although no rupture actually took place amongst the Fishermen last year, yet it was found necessary to have a detachment of the Military stationed in Peeltown during the Fishing Season, the Receiver General being of opinion from the Spirit of resistance evinced on the part of the Irish Fishermen that a Military Force was necessary.

The Police of this Island is extremely defective being in fact little changed since 1765 since which period the population of the Island and the Intercourse with Great Britain have greatly increased; the subject has repeatedly been under the consideration of the Insular Legislature, and a scheme which was thought the best to meet existing exigencies, Mr Courtenay when in the Island last year kindly undertook to submit to His Majesty's Government. I cannot too strongly urge the necessity of putting the Police of the Island on a better and more efficient footing, and in accomplishing this object Mr Secretary Peel will have the cordial co-operation of the Insular Legislature.

Notwithstanding the inefficient state of the Police, I am of opinion (from the present tranquil state of the Island which I have no reason to think will be interrupted from internal causes) that one complete company of Infantry would be sufficient for the Service of the Island; and that any future reduction of a force to that extent, would depend on the nature and efficiency of a police establishment.

Early in the year 1826 under the circumstances then existing, I applied for two Companies of Infantry, and on that occasion the whole Dépôt of the 80th Regiment was sent to the Island, when it was found necessary to fit up the Ordnance Storehouse and an empty Barn as temporary Barracks for their accommodation. I find after a communication with Major Stewart commanding the Dépôt of the 74th Regiment which relieved the 80th, that the Barn referred in the enclosed Plan as No 4 formed the principal ground of his complaint, and I concur with him, after viewing the Building, that it is not suitable for a Barrack.

Should the General commanding in Chief think it advisable to have a Regimental Dépôt constantly stationed in this Island in preference to the force actually required, I would recommend that the Barn be immediately given up & that the Building No 1, which was formerly occupied as a Barrack and is now used as an Hospital be fitted up with the Materiels from the Barn, and that a House in the vicinity of the Barracks which can be rented for £16 16 0 (the same rent which is now paid for the rejected Building), be occupied as an Hospital. I beg leave to inclose a plan of the Barrack, with an estimate of the expence of the proposed arrangement.

I have the honor &c C Smelt Lieut Governor

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