[From Governor's Letter Book Vol 1 ]

Smelt to G Villiers, Windsor 20 Nov 1807

Sir

The agriculture of this Island has 'till within these very few years past, been in a state of utter neglect, from the prospects of advantage which the Herring Fishery has held to that class corresponding with the Yeomanry in England, and to the labouring class of the People,

Bad fishing seasons however and other causes had begun to lay the foundation of a change, and to introduce a system of improvement, when the Gentlemen of the island formed the very laudable determination of connecting themselves with an agricultural society established by that zealous member of society Mr Curwen, in the County of Cumberland.

This Island abounds in pasturage - the soil is dry, and well calculated for sheep, and the Climate particularly mild.

At a meeting of the Isle of Man branch of the Society on the 24th September at which Mr Curwen attended, a requisition was made to me to lend my feeble influence to the procuring an improvement in the breed of Sheep, which were thought capable by the best judges of being made a staple commodity in the Island. I was satisfactorily proved to me at the meeting that the wool of some Mountain bred sheep of a very inferior kind, was worth not less than 1/6 per pound; and it was strongly maintained that wool of the very finest quality and of nearly double that value, might be provided by a cross with the Merino Tup, and by that degree of attention to which all present engaged themselves.

In compliance with the wishes of so respectable a body, I have taken the liberty to address myself to you, in the hopes that you would be pleased to inform me by what means one or two Merino Tups could be procured for his Majesty's dutiful subjects of this Isle.

I flatter myself at the same time, that you may be induced to take an interest in the welfare & prosperity of this remote corner of H. Majesty's dominion, so much favored in point of Climate, as whatever advance may be made in this staple article of the Country cannot but add to the resources of the Empire.

I have the honor &c

Notes

George Villiers (1759-1827) was more interested in the Royal farms than politics, the King had wanted him as bailiff of his farms; he was also a favourite of Princess Amelia. Lived at Windsor Old Lodge until 1805 then Cranborne Lodge. His sinecure as Paymaster of the Marines ended in scandal when his and his Chief Clerk's lax accounting was brought to light in 1809 with colossal debts. Presumeably it was his interest in farming that prompted Smelt to approach him. There is no record of any reply in the files.