# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_143429.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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2

That by the oath to your Petitioners adminis-
tered, they are bound " to use their best endea-
vors to maintain the ancient laws and customs
of the said Isle."

* That by the Act of Parliament re-vesting in
the Crown all the rights formerly granted to the
noble family of Stanley, and re-sold by the then
*Duchess of Athol*, heir-general of the grantee,
and her husband, to the Crown, reservation being
made to them of certain manorial rights, occa-
sion was taken by the present Duke of Athol,
on coming into possession of these, to institute
certain claims, and endeavour to establish them
by Act of Parliament: that these appearing to
the House of Keys most unfounded, subversive
of their tenures, and in other respects injurious
to the Island, were, at different times, by them
strenuously and successfully resisted.

That in the year 1791 a commission of en-
quiry was, under the authority of the late Lord
Melville, as secretary of state, sent to the Island,
with directions to enquire into certain allegations
of his Grace, and to ascertain the nature and
extent of the rights of the Crown, and the peo-
ple, as opposed to those by him claimed: that
after long and patient investigation, a report was
made by these Commissioners, to which your

* 5th Geo. III. 1765.