# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_114329.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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5

The next two Clauses, for we follow the order they stand in the Act, whereby foreign Spirits
are prohibited to be imported into this Isle except directly from Britain, and Spirits
Shipped in America are conditioned not to be Landed here, are exceptionable in the
same account, as the preceding one, namely, that there is no reason why this Island in its
present circumstances should be treated with peculiar severity, and subjected to Prohibitions &
Restrictions, unknown in any other part of his Majesty's Dominions. For if it is an
undoubted fact, that tis much more difficult to Run Goods from hence, than from other
places, there is no reason why Rum of the British Plantations, should be an innumerated
Commodity with respect to this Island only, whilst the rest of his Majestys Subjects in
Europe bring it directly from Foreign parts. But to remove all objections as we have no
views to clandestine Trade, all we ask is the Liberty of Importing Rum from America, and
Spirits from Foreign parts on condition of their being Warehoused here for Re exportation
and to be re shipped for that purpose, under whateven Restrictions are thought proper
for the Prevention of Frauds.

The next succeeding Clause so far as it prohibits Wines & Spirits to be imported into
this Island or carried Coastways except in Vessels of One hundred Tons burthen, We
humbly conceive imposes an unnecessary hardship on the Inhabitants, it was meant
no doubt for the Prevention of Illicit Trade, But suppose a Vessel under 100 Tons
appeared within the Ports of this Island Laden with Wines, seeing such Vessels daily
pass in the way of fair Trade bound for the Ports of Britain & Ireland, we humbly
apprehend it could not be subjected upon the Clause in Question, unless Bulk was
broke & the Goods unshipped, again, with respect to Goods carried Coastways the
British Regulations now extended to this Isle are certainly as effectual for the
prevention of Frauds in every case here as in Britain. Hence this Restriction is
evidently of no Importance in the two cases now specified, and does not answer even the
end proposed by it, therefore tis humbly hoped the Inhabitants of this Isle may be allowed
to import & carry Coastways Wines & Spirits on the same Terms as his Majestys
Subjects in other Parts...... The next clause which prohibits foreign Spirits to be
imported from hence into Britain is no more than a Repetition with respect to this
Particular Article of the General Prohibition of the 12^th George 1^st before mentioned
Therefore we shall pass it over without further Notice, and proceed to the only
remaining Clause, by which Vessels sailing from Britain & Ireland for Africa(?)
are bound in severe penaltys not to take on board Stores & provisions from this Island.
Tis well known this clause was intended solely to prevent Vessels in the African
Trade from taking in certain Species of East India Goods lodg'd here formerly from
Holland, But all the Goods of this Kind which remained here after the late purchase,
have been long since exported by virtue of Special acts of Parliament for that purpose,
and no more can now be imported. Thus the Object of the Clause is removed, nevertheless
the Restriction remains a severe Interdict on all intercourse with this Island and a
Burthen on the General Commerce of Britain, for not only Vessels bound to Africa, but
to America & other foreign parts, which have not the least design of touching here, even
Vessels sailing from Hull to Holland are taxable every Voyage in the Expence of a
Bond w^ch falls very heavy on the Small Traders. It were almost endless to enumerate the
Hardships resulting from this Restriction, which as things are now circumstanced,
answers no useful purpose either to his Majesty's Revenue or the Trade of Britain

AP 147 - 15 Turn