LetsGoHistory

Richard Kane was Richard Cahan originally and was born a Catholic.  His family lived in Castle Street.  His mother was a Dobbin.  He changed his name from Cahan to Kane because of the allegiation to the Crown.  The family were traders and merchants and were well respected in the town.  He joined the Army to defend against the Catholics, despite being born a Catholic. 

During the 9 years war. Richard was committed to the Crown.  He fought in the Siege of Namur (1695) which was the first real defeat of the French.  Richard admired the Duke of Marlborough who followed King William of Orange.  He was promoted to Colonel and fought the Wild Geese who were Catholics fighting for the French.

Despite having no military experience, he was a good military analyst.  There were no agreed tactics until he developed them.  The Army were “amateurs” – no so the Royal Navy.  He had no children of his own and never married.  The British captured Menorca in the western Mediterranean.  In 1712 he was appointed Lt. Governor, but was effectively in charge as the Governor was not often on the island.  When he was 50 he was made the Governor.   The British Menorcans could be hostile and of course were Catholic. For the next 24 years Kane helped the Menorcan people.  He fought the British Government for their rights, and used his own money. He argued with the priests and the Catholic hierarchy to ensure that the Menorcans got a fair deal. 

He reformed coinage and weights and measures, he moved the capital to Mahon  from Ciutadella, he defended Catholicism and tried to persuade the hierarchy to appoint a bishop.