[From Atholl Papers - AP X11-14]

[Report by Gov Lindsey 18 March 1745]

May it please your Grace

On the 13^th I had the honour of your Graces letter from Liverpool of 27^th Novr, how it had lyen so long there I cannot imagine. Our letters by the way of Dumfreise and Kirkcubright, under Mr McCulloch's cover are not verie certain, but I observe I miss non of them, and they come sooner this way then any other

On the 14 I had the honour of your Graces letter of 26 febry inclosing Mr Humphreys proposals about leasing the Calfe, and a copy of the formers letter; as soon as I received it, I dispatched an express to the attorney to make himselfe redie to go to England with the money. He came here last night, and this day wee have sett all hands to work to gett as much gold as we can, which Mr Stanlie had neglected, tho I told him, wee expected such a call every day ; five ships are now lyeing at the Bridge readie to sail, in one of these the Attorney takes the passage, if wee gett all the silver converted into gold in time for them. He carries with him £1666:10: sterling including one per cent to be payd for exchange

This is a most expensive way of transmitting your Graces money ; if we cannot find bills hereafter (which is indeed a great chance wee do) a way may be fallen on to save your Grace the expence of the exchange from Whitehaven by settling this matter with one Mr Fitzgerald a merchant of London, who serves the French farmers with tobacco, and remits upon that account annualy about £40000 to Whitehaven. When your Grace has advice of the extent of any sum of money to be sent to Whitehaven, you may take the value from Mr Fitzgeralds, and draw bills in his favour [] his own correspondent in Whitehaven, (to whom the money shall be payed in) for value received on your Graces account of Mr Willm Christian ye Attorney, or any other person who your grace shall be endorsed, is intrusted with carrying over the money ; in this way all expence will be saved except the attorneys charges in going & coming.

Inclosed I send your Grace a schiem either for selling or improveing the Calfe to some better purpose, with the stewards accounts of the produce of it for the last three years

The attorney who I hope will be at Whitehaven in time enough to leave the bills for the money at your Grace within the time limited ; is to converse with Mr Grifieth about the mines, and is to write to your grace upon that subject.

I am very sorry to acquaint your Grace that we have just received advice from Londn, that a Swedish ship with a very large parcell of teas belonging to ye mercchts of Douglas, was lost in the Northwest highlands on some parte of Ld Crimarties estate, besides the loss of the dutys to your Grace, I am affrayed it will bear hard on some of the concerned, for altho the cargoe may be ensured, tet it will be long befor they recover their money, and at last it will be atended with great loss

My wife desires to tender her most humble respects to your Grace I have nothing more to trouble your Grace with at present, but that I am, with great truth and sincere esteem

May it please your Grace

Your Graces most faithfull and most obedient humble servant

Lindsey

Castletown March 18^th 1744/5

PS I have just now received the enclosed bill of £50 from the Bishop. The attorney payed the money out of the £1666 cash for we leave now a cleran swept treasury

March 19