[From Governor's Letter Book Vol xx ]

No 57 Lt Govr to Ryder 26 May 1811

Castle Rushen Isle of Man 26 May 1811

Sir

I have the Honor to acquaint you that the 2nd Battalion of His Majesty's 6th Regiment Infantry arrived at this Isle on the 23rd Inst and I have enclosed for your Information a Return of the Strength and Distribution of that Corps. The non Commissioned Officers and Privates have been quartered on such Houses as have Licences to sell Ale and Spirits the Inhabitants of which are in general poor and except in a few instances the accomodation they can afford is very insufficient and uncomfortable and must if continued for any Length of Time prove very injurious both to the Health and Discipline of the Regiment.

I have also to state that as 200 Volunteers from the Militia are shortly expected to join the above Regiment, the only practicable mode that occurs to me for the better Accommodation of the Troops that are already arrived, and of affording cover for those that are expected will be for Government to hire some of the empty Store Houses that are to be found at the different Military Stations and fitting them up as Barracks sending Beds and Bedding from some of the neighbouring Stores, and the whole to be under the Charge and Inspection of a Barrack Master.

I feel the more inclined to propose this measure to the consideration of H.M.'s Government as I am persuaded the charge attending its adaption will not exceed the Ammount of lodging Money that must necessarily be allowed to non commsnd officers and Privates in a situation like the Isle of Man, where there are no barracks, and where I have no Authority to grant Billets. From the Correspondence that has formerly passed between my predecessors at this Government and the War Office I find that it has been the rule to allow H.M. Troops stationed at the Isle of Man the same Lodging Money and the same Allowance of Coals and Candles for their different Guard Rooms as are allowed in Great Britain. I have therefore thought it my duty to direct that those Allowances of Coals and Candles for the different Guard Rooms should be provided by the Quarter Master of the 6th Regiment at the public Expence and an acct thereof to be kept by him until such Time as I am further instructed, and that a proper Arrangement can be made for the Accomodation of the Troops.

I am &c

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