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RefNoKMAN1/A/10/7/1
AltRefNoM10/7/1
TitleLetter from William Burness, Kimbolton Lodge, to the Duke of Manchester
DescriptionBurness is communicating with gentlemen who have given him advice owing to unhappy litigations with Lord Lovat. Goes on to explain the circumstances behind his removal, blaming the conduct of Mr.Porter and those under him.

Accuses Porter and Wilson of frudulent book keeping, also alledges that religion was taken seriously when the Duke was around, but when he was absent Porter took religion less seriously. One Sabbath he was ordered to lay down his bible and meet Porter and Robert the Prince to "enter into secular affairs of the establishment & transact business". Accuses the party of misbehaving in chapel by suggestively winking, surpressing laughter and gesturing of men and women across the chapel, describing them has having "polluted the serenity of the chapel itself by their whoredoms". Mentions the wine cellar at Tandragee had more keys than it should have.

Surprised him to learn that Councillor Hardaue (?) and other gentlemen have been led to believe, through Porter, that Burness's leaving Tandragee was due to him spending too much money during the Dukes absence. Expresses displeasure at this, "I may as well be blamed for spending too much money here, where I am under no responsibility whatever, everything being done by orders of Mr Porter, without my advice". Carried out the Dukes orders. Burness cashed a bad bank draft my Mr Creezy, which affected Wilsons bank drafts (?). Accuses Wilson of not "fulfilling the duties of his situation" and states "let Porter justify his appointment, not condem me."

Claims Porter hailed Burness as a "great blessing" whilst he carried out improvements at Tandragee, but the "down fall of the cash ...s had a major influence on the mind of poor Porter".
Date08 January 1846
CreatorNameThe Montagu family of Kimbolton Castle: estate and family papers
RepositoryHuntingdonshire Archives

Show related Persons records.

Persons
CodePersonNameDates
P/0076Montagu; Sir; George (1799-1855); 6th Duke of Manchester (1843-1855); of Kimbolton Castle1799-1855
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