# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_114311.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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Reasons humbly offered in Support & Illustration of the
preceding Scheme —

This Scheme hath in view three different objects, which, to avoid confusion, we shall consider
separately in the order they are Exhibited.
And first with Regard to exterior commerce, We beg leave to observe that the Immunities Requested
on this head, amount to no more, than that this Island, be restored to the like Priviledges, &
placed on the Same footing with other parts of his Majestys Dominions in the Same Situation
and Circumstances, namely, Ireland, Jersey & the other Dependencies of the British Empire
in Europe.
In Support of this Request, founded as we humbly conceive in Natural Equity, the following
Reasons may be justly urged.

1. The Illicit Trade formerly carried on to & from this Island no longer exists, therefore 'tis reasonable
that Restrictions & Prohibitions, which had no other object than the Suppression of that Trade,
be abolished; as by means thereof many Thousands of his Majestys Subjects are distrest, who
never were concern'd in any Illicit Trade whatsoever.

2. There is no reason to apprehend, that the Trade of this Island would be abus'd as formerly to
the prejudice of his Majestys Revenues, For the ports being under the charge of his Majestys
Officers, and the Coasts as sufficiently guarded, as any part of the Coasts of Britain of equal
extent (the Port of London excepted) every Regulation requisite for the prevention of Frauds
can be enforc'd here, as effectually, as in any other part of his Majestys Dominions.—

3. If a Trade was Granted to this Island on the Terms of the Scheme, We humbly conceive that
instead of Diminishing, it would contribute greatly to augment his Majestys Revenues in
Britain & Ireland. — For tis well Known, that the chief Reason why many Traders
are tempted to Smuggle high Custom'd Goods, is, that they have not Stock Sufficient to
answer the Duties, and therefore Risque their Property rather than overstretch their Credit.
But if allowed to Deposit Goods here at a small charge & afterwards to Import them
from hence into Britain & Ireland the Merchant would reap these advantages. — He need not
import more at once then he cou'd conveniently pay Duty for, nor more then he cou'd readily
sell & consequently would be quickly reimburs'd what money he had advanc'd on that account.
This would be a prodigious Encouragement to legal Importation especially of Commodities
Such as Wines & Spirits that bring slow Returns. From what we know of these matters
we shall venture to assert, that on these two Articles alone, the Revenue of Great Britain
and Ireland, would by this means be encreas'd some Thousands Yearly.

4. If the same intercourse in Trade was permitted to this Island, as to other places in the like
circumstances many advantages would arise, to the commerce of Britain & Ireland. —
We shall mention one in particular. — 'Tis well known how hazardous it is in Time of
War to pass thro' the British Channell expos'd to the Fleets & Privateers of the Enemy,
and how much safer in this Respect to pass Northwards thro' S^t Georges Channell into
the Western or Atlantick Ocean. The ports on the West of Scotland evidently found the
advantage of their Situation in this Respect. And during the late War some Merch^ts
of Liverpool & Bristol ordered provisions to be Lodged here, by means of Vessels in the
Coal Trade returning from Ireland to be taken in by their Ships passing Northwards
in