# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_135716.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

---

Honourable Sirs,

Pursuant to Your Honours Directions of the
18^th Instant, I have made the most strict enquiry
into the Isleman Trade; and Inclosed please to receive an
Account of all foreign Goods, imported into the said Island,
with the exact Duties payable to the Proprietor for the
same; which has been done with care, and I hope will
be found accurate; also Your Honours will receive
inclosed, a Book of Rates, which a Trusty Friend
procured at the Isleman for me, wherein Your
Honours have, not only the exact Duties payable
to the Proprietor on all foreign Goods, but also on all
Goods imported into the said Island, from Great Britain
& Ireland, from whom they are Obliged to have
almost every necessary Article, even the Necessaries
of Life; and this Isleman which abounded with
Plenty not many Years ago, is now become so
Populous, they could starve was not her Neighbours
to assist. –

It is remarkable, that in the inclosed Book of
Rates, Tea is not mentioned, a plain indication, that,
that Article, which is now the Staple Commodity in
the Island, was not thought on, in 1692. –

The Proprietors income has increased greatly of
late Years, but must undoubtedly lessen, as the Trade
in the Island is upon the decline; and might be greatly
lessened, If the African Merchants had a few necessary
Indulgences. or the East India Company Obliged to
Import a sufficient, and a proper assortment of Goods,
for their Trade, and also obliged to have their Tea Sales,
more frequent, and to put up Plenty of it; And
particularly, If the Importers of East India Goods,
are liable to be prosecuted on the 7^th Geo: 1^st. C. 25^th. Sec: 9^th;
but if that Law should not be found effectual for
that purpose, Doubtless one can be made; and other
Methods taken (I am of Opinion) that would make
the Noble Proprietor sensible, that it would be for his

Interest