# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_114320.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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4)

in order to avoid the British Channell. And this was found of so much benefit, that if
the War had continued longer, probably the Practice would have been general. —
Other Advantages resulting from the Situation of this Island, might be pointed out
which we pass over to avoid prolixity.

THUS having shewn by what General Arguments we apprehend this branch of the
Scheme may be supported, We shall enter into a Discussion of the particular Articles
in order to explain the Scope & design of each, & shew the Special Reasons on which
we ground our Request for repealing the several Clauses & acts of parliament there mentiond.

+ With Regard to the first Article of this Branch; It is superfluous to observe, that when the
prohibition of the 12 George the 1.^st was imposd, the ports of this Island were then in the
hands of the Feudatory proprietor; otherwise there is no Reason to doubt the British
Legislature would have adopted a more Natural & effectual method for attaining the end
proposed by enacting. — That no Goods subject to high Duties in Britain Should be exports
from hence except under proper Securitys that they should be fairly landed at the designd
Ports. This is found sufficient in Britain to prevent any frauds with Respect to Such
Goods carried Coastways or Shipped for Foreign parts, and there is equal Reason to suppose
it would operate as effectually with Respect to the Trade of this Island.

The Second & third Articles are Subservient to the first for if it should be thought proper to
allow foreign Goods to be imported from hence into Britain it will necessarily follow that
Liberty be granted not only to import & export such goods to and from this Island, but
also to lodge them here at a very moderate Duty, for a priviledge is given in vain, if the
charges attending it exceed the Profits to be derived from it.

But as the third Article alludes in General to several Clauses in the Act there specified
it will be proper to enter into a fuller detail & point out the particular clauses
We humbly apprehend ought to be repealed.

These Clauses are Six in Number, and we shall begin with that which prohibits certain
East India and other Goods to be imported from Britain into this Island. — We do not
mean to complain of this restraint as an Extraordinary Grievance, nor do we propose
to shew that any Remarkable benefit would arise from the Abrogation of it. But we
humbly hope we may be permitted to enquire, why this Island alone should be subjected
to such a prohibition whilst the Goods in Question are still allowed to be imported from
Britain into Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey &c. If it is alledgd, that such goods if permitted
to be imported here would be Run from hence into Britain. We beg leave to observe that
that this objection Militates in a Still Stronger degree against the Countries before mentiond.
The Coasts of Ireland (for the other Islands lie too remote for us to be acquainted with their
present circumstances) are by no means equally guarded as the Coasts of this Isle —
and in point of Vicinity to Britain there is little difference. Hence, it is much easier
at present to Run Goods from Ireland into Britain than from hence the fact is Notorious.
Therefore since there is no Special Reason for putting the Inhabitants of this Island on a worse
footing than their Neighbours, We have reason to hope from the Equity of his Majesty's
Government the Clause in Question will be repealed. — at least, to remove invidious
distinctions, they may be allowed to Import from Britain a certain allotment of Such
Goods for their private consumption on paying a moderate Duty.