# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_114340.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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6

For with respect to Licenced Goods, since the Law allows in some instances encourages their
exportation; it is humbly submitted whether it is not a sort of contradiction to oblige any
Vessels not to take them in. And with respect to Prohibited Goods, since by the Act of the 4^th
of his present Majesty all such shipped here, are forfeited with Treble their Value, there is
no reason to apprehend the Officers of this Isle will allow them to be exported; therefore to
oblige Masters of Ships to give Bond in Britain, not to take them on board seems in a
great measure superfluous. Upon the whole, we are persuaded that this, & the other clauses
before mentioned, were meant as temporary Restrictions to subsist only till the late
illicit Trade of this Island was totally extinguished. So we humbly hope the propriety
of repealing them will now appear; and a new System of Regulations to take place with
respect to the Trade of this Island, less Grievous & better adapted to its present circumstances.
Before we quit this head it may not be improper to observe that the request of being permitted
to Trade to all parts of his Majestys Dominions on the same footing as Ireland implies
the Liberty of exporting from hence Provisions, Horses, & Linen Cloth manufactured here to the
British Plantations. . . . 4. The fourth Article of this Branch proposes nothing further
than a small convenience to Vessels sailing from hence, with Fish & Linen Cloth &c to
Foreign ports, where it might be an advantage to have at the same time an assortment of
Hardware & other British Manufactures, provided they could be procured without the
expence & delay of touching at any other Port. In order therefore, that such Goods might
be brought here for this purpose. It is proposed, that a distinction be made betwixt those
Imported for the consumpt of the Island & those designed for Re exportation; & that the
latter be exempted from Duty, provided they are Re exported in a reasonable time.
† We come now to the Second Branch of the Scheme, namely, the interior Commerce of this
Island, or the Importation of Commodities, for the use of its Inhabitants, as regulated by the
Act of the 7^th of his present Majesty. . . . As the Duties imposed by this Act to defray the
Expences of the Civil Government of this Island have not hitherto answered that design,
We esteem it incumbent on us, to shew by what means, the operation of the Act seems to be
obstructed, and to sollicit such alterations as we humbly conceive will tend alike to the
Improvement of his Majestys Revenue, & the benefit of the Inhabitants of the Island.
With respect to the first Article of this Branch of the Scheme, as it cannot be expected Merch^ts
should import Goods with any other View than their private profit tis reasonable they
should be allowed to purchase them where they can be had best & cheapest. Now the Articles
of Rum & Tobacco generally speaking can be purchased in Scotland much cheaper & of
better Quality, than at any of the Ports of England, which lie convenient for this Island,
Besides the Scots Merchants give longer Credit, w^ch is a considerable advantage in a
Trade where the Profits are small, & the returns slow, as must necessarily happen in the
present reduced condition of the people here.
The second Article of this Branch consists of two heads w^ch it is proper should be separately
considered. . . .
The first relates to the Restriction whereby the Importation
of Spirits is limited not only to two Ports, but to certain proportions of each sort.
Whether 80,000 Gallons of Spirits are too much or too little for the consumpt of this Island
tis unnecessary to enquire, were the Inhabitants to continue decreasing in Wealth &
Numbers with the same rapidity as of late, very little would suffice, but supposing the
Island to prosper in Trade, Fisheries & Manufactures, & consequently in population,
probably the above allowance would not be found too Exuberant. However since the
British Legislature hath deemed Eighty Thousand Gallons a proper allottment