# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_140836.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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the Officers of this Port frequently meet
with, but cannot make a Seizure without
more force than themselves–

We further beg leave to inform your
Honours, that in the Month of June last
M^r Addison the Surveyor, together with
the Officers of this Port, met with near
Hayton Castle in this Country, a very
considerable Gang of Smuglers Armed
with Guns and pistols escorting about forty
Horse load of Brandy and Tea, which the
Officers Attacked, but being over powered
with so much Superiour force were obliged
to retreat, frequent instances of this Nature
happen, therefore humbly inform your
Honours we are of Opinion the only —
Effectual means of Supressing a practise
so detrimental to his Majesty, and the
fair Trader, would be, that, of a party of
Light troops (as the very name of a military
force intimidates the Smuglers) as set
forth in our letter; to your Honours of the
28 Feb^ry last, as also the report of Mess^rs
Eddowes & Halcomb, which we humbly
refer your Honours to. We are.

Custom h^e Carlisle
5 Dec^r 1764

Your Honours
most obedient hum^ble Serv^ts
Jn^o Norman
W^m Willson