Name

1792 Commission of Inquiry

Description

Parliamentary investigation into the consequences of the Revestment, appointed in 1791 following J.C. Curwen's presentation of the Manx petition. Three Commissioners examined witnesses including the 4th Duke of Atholl, John Quayle (Clerk of the Rolls), Lt-Governor Shaw, and numerous Manx officials. Their report confirmed in exhaustive detail what everyone who had been paying attention already knew: the customs system was 'in many of the fundamental and most essential Parts and Requisites, ill digested, incomplete, and unfit.' The Commissioners confirmed that the Manx legislature possessed authority 'as completely binding within its Jurisdiction, as the Legislature of any Country whatever.' David Reid submitted dissenting observations. The report documented harbour collapse, revenue extraction, prison conditions, legislative silence, and administrative chaos.

Active Period

1791–1792

Place

Isle of Man; Westminster

Period

Crown Administration

Type

Commission

Parliamentary Inquiry

Book Chapter

Chapter 13

Chapter 14