# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_141911.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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Atholl house 7.^th august 1764

My Lords

I have received the Honour of your Lordships Letter
of the 25.^th of July, Informing me that in pursuance of the Act
the 12.^th George the 1.^st you are willing to treat with me for the purchase
of the Isle of Man. ~

I am sorry to hear there has been so many Complaints of
smuggling from thence, which is a practice I give no manner of
Encouragement to, my Revenues arising from a fair duty collected
upon the Importation of Goods. ~

I have the same Ideas with Regard to the Sale of the
Island that the late Duke of Atholl had, who always declared
that no Temptation of Gain could Induce him [above line: to part with] so ancient, so
honourable and so noble a Birth-right; such as no Subject of the
Crown of England, now has, or ever had, which has been in our
family near four centuries; And that he thought nothing could
be an equivalent to one of his Rank and Circumstances, for
so great a patrimony; at the same time his duty and Attachment
to the King was such, That if it was esteemed upon a full Con-
sideration an important point for his Majesty's Service and
for the good of the publick; He in that event was willing to enter
into a Treaty for the Disposal of it, and these are the only
reasons that can induce me to do the Same. ~

The Purchase of the Isle of Man has been frequently
thought of by former Administrations, but upon ballancing the
advantages and disadvantages which might arise to Government
they did not think proper to treat conclusively upon it, Sir Robert
Walpole made some proposals to the late Duke, but afterwards
dropt them; M.^r Pelham Seemed very desirous to bring the Sale
to a Conclusion, and the Duke of Atholl gave him a true and
precise State of the Nature and Revenue of this Principality, that
he might be able to judge what proposal to make; and he assured the
Duke that no proposal should come from him, which He would
not adjudge if it was left to him to settle as an Arbitrator, however the

MS 09707/6/332/i
MS 09707/6/332/ii

AP 42B-8