[From Atholl Papers - X14-19]

[Report by Gov Cochrane] N° 8th August 11th 1758.

My Lord

My last to your Grace was No 7 July the 24 in which I acquainted your Grace that I was to send the Auditt which is don and by this time believe it is now at Edinburgh with Mr Stuart

By a letter from our Bishop from London I find his Lor[d]sh had recovered for the Clergy £2658:93.75 which was to be putt into the hands of Messrs Drummond &c and the money to be payd by the Receiver General So this and what was formerly payd to Mr Drummond makes £4101:5:1 a great deal of money for the Clergy we are very before colecting up all the money that can be gott that so we may be able to pay the Clergys demands by the time our Bishop arryves in this Island

Inclosed I send your Grace an abstract and inclosed your Grace wil receive a letter from Messrs Moore and Sons &c anent an affair which if it goes against those gentlemen will affect the Herring Fishing greatly. We have been in use and practice to carry the Herrings directly from this Island to the West Indians for some time and I don't hear that any fault was found with it before. This old act of Parliament made in King Charles the Second's time was an act unknown here and I am told only found out of late in the West Indiens and therefore I hope his Majesty and Council will be of opinion that as we can carry the produce of this Island to great Britain we are likewise intitled to carry them to any of his Majestys Plantations

If your Grace should answer Messrs Moore and Sons letter The Letter directed to Mr Hammersley London will come safe to hand as one of the Gentlemen concerned in the affair goes to London to attend the affair.

I am with great esteem

My Lord Your Grace's Most faithfull and most obedient humble servant

Basil Cochrane