[From Governor's Letter Book Vol 2 ]

No 55 Lt Govr Smelt to Ryder 29 March 1811

Castle Rushen Isle of Man 29 March 1811

Sir

It is my duty to acquaint you that in consequence of the disbandment of the Corps of Royal Manx Fencibles, which took place on the 24 Inst and no Troops having yet been sent to this island I have found it absolutely necessary for the Support of the Officers in the Execution of their duty as well as to afford Protection for the Arms Ammunition and ordinary Stores belonging to His Majesty to call upon the Officer commanding the Regiment of Manx Volunteer Infantry to furnish from that Corps a daily detail of two Subalterns two Sergeants and 36 Rank and File to take the Guards at Castletown and Douglas, until other Troops shall arrive to do the duty of the Island.

I beg also to inform you that the High Bailiff of Ramsey in Consequence of the Riots and Disturbances existing in that Town since the Disbandment of the Fencibles has found it necessary to require the Assistance of one non Commissioned Officer and ten Privates of the Troop of yeomanry cavalry (stationed in the Northern Part of this Island) to preserve the Peace of that Place and to protect the Courts of Justice now open from Insult.

These Disturbances I have reason to believe have been occasioned by some of the disbanded Fencibles encouraged and assisted by some of the Irish Inhabitants of this Island who took refuge in this Country to escape Punishment for their conduct during the Rebellion in Ireland - I have however no doubt that the Appearance of the small military Force which the High Bailiff has assembled in Ramsey will speedily restore Peace and good order in that Town.

Had the General Officer commanding the Northern District judged it expedient to make me acquainted with the intended Disbandment of the Fencible Corps (which I only learnt two days previous to that measure being carried into effect, and then not officially) it would have been my duty to have represented to you the necessity which these appeared to me to be for other Troops to be sent here and to have obtained your Sanction for availing myself in the mean time of the Services of the Volunteers and yeomanry Cavalry, before I had adopted that measure. I trust however that the Necessity of the case will justify my Conduct, and that you will be pleased to recommend that Pay be allowed to such part of the above Corps as it has been necessary on this occasion to employ. As that want of the Mutiny Act which relates to the quartering of Soldiers upon Persons holding public House Licences does not extend to the Isle of Man, I beg Leave to suggest that in case it should be the Intention of Government to send Troops to this Island it would be very necessary that I should have some Notice of such determination previous to their Arrival, in order that the High Bailiffs of the different Towns may have Time to provide for their accomodation.

I have the honor &c
C Smelt Lt Govr

Notes