# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_140321.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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can extend. No Boat can sail to The Isle of Man from The Coast between
Wexford and Londonderry without first taking out a Permit, by which Means
Notice is given of the Sailing of each Smuggling Wherry. All Vessels with
exciseable Goods from that Island belonging to any Port or Person residing
in this Kingdom are forfeited with their Cargoes, if discovered to be within
three Leagues of the Irish Shore; And all Contracts with the Isle of Man
for exciseable Goods are declared void. As Occasion pointed out We have
tried Variety of Expedients; We have as far as Prudence allows, gone to
a great Expence in establishing Cruizing Barges at Sea, and Guards
upon the Shores, which have been of considerable Service, And although
they have not put a Stop to the Smuggling from that Island, Yet they
have checked it considerably, and prevented an Increase of it.

We are satisfied That the Revenues of this Kingdom do
suffer very considerably by the Smuggling from the Isle of Man, but
to what Amount it is impossible for Us to ascertain. The Value of the
Goods from thence, seized on this Coast, generally amounts one Year with
another to about Ten Thousand Pounds.

Another Branch of the Smuggling Trade is by Vessels
from the Coast of Cumberland and Lancashire touching at the Isle of
Man. This is carried on for the most part by the Whitehaven Colliers,
and consists chiefly in small Adventures brought by the Sailors; But
as good Care is taken to rummage the Vessels, and to punish the Offenders
We believe the Damage which The Crown sustains in this Instance is
inconsiderable.

We do not find That the Practice of carrying Debenture
Goods to The Isle of Man hath yet been set on foot in this Kingdom.

The Goods imported into The Isle of Man in the
greatest Quantities, are coarse Teas from Holland, Denmark, Sweden
and Norway; Brandy, Wine and Tobacco from France, Rum from
the West Indies; and Debentured Tobacco from Great Britain.
Beside these, are imported there in smaller Quantities, China,
Silk