[From State Papers SP 48/2 page 370]

Report of L-Govr Dawson to Lord North - Sept 1783 re bad state of repair of Barracks

Isle of Man 11th Sept 1783

My Lord

In my capacity of Engineer I had the Honor the 19th of May last to represent to Lord Townshend Master General of the Ordnance that there were in Castle Rushen in this Island various Buildings under the care of the Ordnance, such as the Governors House, Ordnance Storehouse, Guard House and Barracks for three Companies of Foot, that the Buildings as well as the Castle itself stood in need of frequent repairs. That such repairs as were absolutely necessary for the years 1782 & 1783 had been estimated by me and regularly transmitted to the Honble Board and were then in the Office for their consideration. I also represented to his Lordship that the Barrack beds bedding and furniture had been survey'd by Order of the Command[in]g Officer of the Troops, and as they were found very bad and defective a state of them had been transmitted to the Honble Board by their storekeeper & Barrack Master, and I begged his Lordship woud give orders that my Estimate might be allowed and that the Barrack Beds bedding & furniture might be compleated in answer to which I had the honor to receive a letter by order of the Board dated 25 Augt last acquainting me that my letter to the Master General had been taken into consideration and that no money having been granted by Parliament this year for any building or Repairs in the Isle of Man consequently they cou'd not suffer any expence to be incurred on that account, in this exigency and foreseeing the inconveniences which the Troops may suffer for the want of proper repairs to the barracks as well as such as are now necessary as of them which may become so by damage frequently occassioned by storm and from the insufficient state of the Barrack bedding & furniture. I think it my Duty to represent our situation to your Lordship begging that some means may be adopted by which the Barracks and Buildings may be kept in repair and the defficiencies in the bedding & furniture be supply'd before the approaching winter.

I have the honor &c R Dawson Lt Govr

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