# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_141801.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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My Lord Treasury Chambers 25.^th July 1764

We think proper to inform your Grace That in
pursuance of the powers vested in us by the 12.^th of George the
1.^st we are willing to treat with you for the purchase of the Isle
of Man, or of such parts of the Rights claimed by your Grace
in the said Island as it shall be found expedient to vest in the
Crown for preventing that pernicious and illicit Trade whichis
at present carried on between the said Island and the other
parts of his Majesty's Dominions, In violation of the Laws,
and to the great diminution and detriment of the Revenue of
this Kingdom.

The House of Commons during the last Session of
parliament thought fit to enquire whether any and what steps
had been taken for this purposes; and we have reason to think
it is expected of us that we should pursue every legal method for
the prevention of this evil. With this view we have judged it
necessary first to inform ourselves of the present extent of this
illegal Commerce, of the nature of those Rights under colour
of which it is carried on, and of the Laws of this Country
with respect to them. We are now ready to treat with your
Grace pursuant to the said act of parliament, and to receive
from you a proposal for that purpose specifying what part of
your property and Rights of the said Island, you are disposed
to sell, and the value you put upon them: That we may know
whether the terms are in all respects such, as we who are Trustees
for the publick can admit: but if your Grace is not inclined
to enter into a Treaty with Us, upon this Subject, We beg to be
informed of it, that we may then pursue such other Methods
as we shall think our duty to the publick requires of Us

We are
My Lord
your Graces most humble serv^ts

George Grenville
John Turner
James Harris

MS 09707|6|330|iii AP 42B-5