HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2007
[From Atholl Papers - AP 113-2]
Be it remembered that on Thursday the eleventh day of July in the morning the colours with the Arms of the Island were hoisted upon the Castle and the troops were drawn up in the Market Place where the proclamation was to be read.
At eleven o'clock in the forenoon the gentlemen that were to compose the procession met in the Hall of the Governors house and a process was formed in the manner and order following vizt Four soldiers with fixed bayonets to precede the procession and clear the way, Order of procession - 1st Captains of Garrisons, Towns and Parishes two and two - 2nd The Clergy two and two 3rd The Keys two and two - 4th The Chairman of the Keys - 5th The two Vicars General - 6th The Archdeacon - 7th The 2 Deemsters 8th The Attorney General - 9th The Constable of Castle Rushen (uncovered) bearing the boxes containing his Majesty's Order of Council Royal Proclamation and Commission to the Governor 10th The Governor - 11th Gentlemen attending the Governor - 12th Guard.
The procession went along the front line of the Troops (who paid the Governor the proper Military Honors) to the usual place where Proclamations are read. The Attorney General in the presence of the Governor principal magistrates and numerous spectators read the order of Council and Royal Proclamation (all persons being uncovered) which was followed by three loud huzzas. The colours with the arms of the Island were then struck and the English colours hoisted in their room, and a discharge of three vollies from the troops.
The procession afterwards went to the court room in the castle where the chancery court is held and the usual proclamation of silence being made, the Governor's commision was then read by the Attorney General the several oaths thereby appointed to be by him taken were tendered and administered to him and another volley was thereupon discharged by the troops
The governor afterwards tendered and administered to the Attorney General and the two Deemsters the oaths required by his majesty's said Royal Proclamation to be by them taken and their several oaths of office and afterwards the Deputys of the Duke and duchess of Atholl did yield up surrender and deliver possession of the Island and its dependencies to the Governor for the use of the most sacred majesty by delivering the Sword of State public seal and other regalia of the said Island unto the Governor as full seizin and lawful possession of the said Island, Castle Pele and Lordship of Man and immediately after the delivery of Possession to his Majesty his excellency John Wood esq Governor in chief and captain general in and over the said Island made the following speech to the principal magistrates officers and inhabitants of the Island present on this important occasion
Gentlemen from the proceedings of this day you see that I have the honor of his Majesty's commission appointing me his chief Governor of this Island, an honor that is the more valuable as it gives me the rule over a people to whom, I am taught to flatter myself my conduct has been hitherto acceptable and from whom long experience has shown me I may expect the most ready and cheerful obedience Gentlemen I need not engage your time with recounting the many incidents that have brought about this revolution amongst you let it suffice to say that you are now become the immediate care of a prince as distinguished for his goodness as he is known for his power; A Prince who is pleased to take you into his Royal protection that you may participate with the rest of his subjects, the advantages of his Love : and that he may communicate to you the blessings of his mild and paternal government - to this end I have his Majesty's instructions to tell you that every encouragement shall be given to the fair and opern trader, he will hear your complaints, he will listen to your grevancies and relieve your wants, and only desirous to promote your happiness in common with all his subjects, permit me Gentlemen to exhort you no longer to look back on a trade confined, hazardous uncertain as it has been, but direct your views to the pleasing prospect before you, the substantial advantages that flow from an honest and virtuous industry - you see gentlemen and you already feel the good effects of his Majesty's royal inclinations towards you - he has sent you troops not to oppress, but to protect you in your properties and to circulate their money amongst you; and it is his Majesty's earnest desire, that the most friendly intercourse may subsist and a constant harmony be preserved between his soldiery and the inhabitants of this Isle.
Gentlemen when you reflect seriously on the real benefits you will derive from his Majesty's constant attention to your welfare, when you see that all he does is calculated for your interest and good, you will I doubt not, by every dutiful and thankful return express your gratitude and testify your obedience, and give me leave, Gentlemen to assure you that nothing shall be wanting on my part that may conduce to the great end of making you a happy, a flourishing and a prosperous people. And now Gentlemen I must address myself to you particularly that are in office under his Majesty, and signify to you, that it is his Royal will that you demean yourselves in your several capacities, civil, judicial and military in an uniform and steady exercise of your duties with a constant attention to the laws of Great Britain as they respect this Island and its dependencies: and that you regard most especially the rights and perogatives of the crown and preserve the same in their due and legal extent: ever watchful to protect the people, and secure to them the peaceable enjoyment of all their just and lawful priviledges
The governor having finished his speech the procession returned in the same order to the Governor's house when the chief officers principal magistrates, the commanders of the forces and several other officers and gentlemen of distinction were entertained at dinner and a hogshead of beer was given by the governor to the troops to drink his Majesties health. The evening was concluded by bonfires illuminations and other demonstrations of joy.
ent by Thos Stowell
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