# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_114418.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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Memorandums

The common people are badly accomodated ~~with~~ [above line: in] the Comforts of
[above line: their dreſs]
life, a Jacket of whitiſh Cloth, their Shoes a sole of Wood or leather
tied above with thongs like antient Sandals, gives them the
figure of wretchedneſs & indolence

They have no notion of Agriculture, Carts they have
not; a drill plough was lately thought a prodigy, any lime they
burn is carried from the quarry on horseback, a stone on each
side & one atop making the load, They bring their Corn
to Mill unthreshed & let there burden out very grudgingly
Notwithstanding of all this [above line: almost] every man is an Attorney
[above line: and as all attorney fee ravels]
& law suits among them are multiplied to an immensity
& the poor are fleeced in proportion — In a word the Country
is 50 years behind even Scotland in every Improvement
What a field [above line: of action] is therefore opened for an enterprising young
Proprietor whose efforts if rightly directed might in a few
years perform wonders & eternize his name as the
Hero & benefactor of his people.

At present ~~I~~ C monopolizes every thing
[above line: large]
and has amased a fortune by cheating every body, he
is universally detested, but his office in the Chancery
Court & his being the Proprietors Manager gives him
such weight that none dare oppose or expose his
transactions

The Colleague Deputies are [above line: really] not much more than [obscured]

[margin left: * They never dung
Turnips instead there side & one atop [?]
lately]

MS 09707|8|51

AP x75 - 2 [above line: Times]