# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_103224.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 20:32  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

---

and observed that a very extraordinary Oath or Affidavit it was, for that on a Court
or two following he your petit^r had modesty enough to own & acknowledge in Co[obscured]
he had no such witnesses to examine or words to this and the like effect, tenor & pur[obscured]
as will be made to appear.

Your petit^r begs leave to observe to your Honour that the said John Lace his publick
Charge & scandalous Speech aforesaid tends to injure and affect your petit^r both in his
Publick and private Character in the highest Degree, as it imports and signifies as fully
as words can express that your petit^r had made Oath to a falshood or perjured
himself in the s^d cause, and which appears to have been the s^d John Lace his
premeditated meaning, and design and intention at the time of expression as most
evidently and clearly appeared from the observation which your Honour was pleased
to make upon the occasion, to wit that the said John Lace had charged your petit^r with
having made a false Oath in which light and sense it also appeared to several other
persons then present.

Your petit^r also shews that by the peculiar constitution of the s^d Isle, the Office and
Duty of the 24 Keys hath ever been held & considered of the utmost importance, being not
only Members of the Legislative Body in the making and Enacting of Laws, but also
Judges appointed to hear & determine all Claims & matters of property at common Law

That by a Law in the year 1647, it is amongst other Things Enacted that
whosoever shall accuse or speak any scandalous Speech against any of the 24 Keys
touching either of their Oaths, or the State and Government or any other Scandalous Speech
which might tend to the Defamation of their Office and place, and be not able to prove it
shall be fined for every Time so offending in ten pounds, and their Ears to be cutt off for
punishment besides.

That your petit^r conceives himself greatly injured and aggrieved both in his publick
& private Character by the false and Scandalous Speech & charge aforesaid.

Wherefore your petit^r begs leave to lodge this his Petition & Complaint
against the said John Lace in order to have redress and satisfaction for
the Injuries and wrongs aforesaid in a due and regular Course of Justice
And further your pet^r humbly prays your Honour will be pleased
to order the matter of this Complaint as far as concerns your petit^rs
Publick Character as one of the Keys to be heard & determined agreeable