# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_121853.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

---

To the Honorable the Commons of Great
Britain in Parliament aſsembled —

The Humble Petition of the Clergy Landholders & other Principal
Inhabitants of the Isle of Man whose Names are hereunto subscribed —
Sheweth.

That your Petitioners being impreſsed with a just sense that the Aid of the British
Legislature is neceſsary to promote the true Interests of this Island by altering or new
modelling one of the Legislative Bodies of the s^d Isle of Man called ~~the House of Keys~~ —
[margin: Is this
proper
Name?]
the Keys of the s^d Island beg leave to represent to this Humble House the peculiar hardships
this Island sustains from the want of a Constitutional & due representation of the People
in its Legislative Aſsembly or House of Keys which according to its present Institution
consists, or ought to consist, of the Number of 24 Members And that the present Mode
of filling up all vacancies therein is of their own Authority & by their own Body exclusive of
& without the concurrence, ~~&~~ consent, or even the previous knowledge of the People —
notwithstanding this eſsential part of the Legislative Body whose concurrence is neceſsary to the
paſsing of all Acts of Tynwald or Laws in or relating to the s^d Island declare themselves the indoubted
Representatives of the People & the true Guardians of the Constitution & the Libertys of this Isle —

That your Pettion^rs with great concern have experienced that the Members of the
House of Keys being elected for Life & not being chosen or appointed by the Landholders &
Inhabitants of the s^d Island have not always their Interest at heart nor are the people even
allowed to form any Judgm^t of their abilities or intentions to serve the Public, by being
permitted to hear their debates the Doors of their House being shut ag^st every Person not a
Member thereof —

MS 09707/8/100

AP 36A - 14