| Description | Letter written by Duke of Atholl, London, to [Henry Dundas] 1st Viscount Melville. His family are leaving London next day and duke will return for Monday's debate before following them to Scotland [after visit to Isle of Man]. Requests Melville's personal assistance in obtaining writership for eldest son of [James] Paton [sheriff clerk of Perthshire] and discusses recent interview with Lord Hawkesbury [Home Secretary] on Manx affairs: the augmentation of certain salaries was to be recommended. He had put forward the name of Rowland Hunt of Lincolns Inn as Attorney General there in place of absentee Mr. Frankland with some hope of success. He had also asked for absence of present Lieutenant Governor from island during duke's forthcoming visit there: his replacement should be someone with whom the duke could co-operate but 'no decisive answer' had been given. He cannot execute duties of governor if his plans are thwarted whenever he is absent. Expresses hope that his friend's talents will soon again be employed in the service of the Crown.
[For MSS. in Atholl correspondence for June to November 1807 in Box 48 relevant to matters discussed in MS 2013/12 see 48 (8)59, 62, 73, 84, 91, 93, 97, 102, 106, 109, 111, 120, 126, 138. The Mr. Frankland mentioned may be a relative of Robert Frankland, M.P., later Sir Robert Frankland Russell, bars., the husband of Louisa Murray, niece of 4th Duke of Atholl and daughter of Lord George Murray, bishop of St. Davids; cf. Chronicles of the Atholl and Tullibardine Families iv, 403, and Atholl MS 69(5)455. Melville was restored to the Privy Council after being impeached.] |