# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_141831.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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Athole House August 8^th 1764

My Lord

The many marks of friendship and kindness which both the
late Duke of Athole and I have at all times received from your Lordship, emboldens
me at present without troubling you with an apology, to beg the favour of your
advice and assistance in an affair of the greatest consequence to the Dutchess and
me, and our Family: the Sale of the Isle of Man to the Crown; The consideration
of which your Lordship will see by the inclosed copy of a letter from the Lords of the
Treasury to me, is again resumed by Government; I have likewise inclosed for
your Perusal my answer to the Lords of the Treasury which is upon the Plan of
a Letter wrote upon the same Subject by the late Duke in 1750 to the Duke of
Newcastle, which I believe had your Lordship's and the late Duke of Argyle's
approbation; — If you think it is proper please to order it to be left at the Treasury,
but if you dont approve of it I shall be extreamly obliged to you for a hint of
what you think will be a more proper answer. —

I must beg leave to take up a little of your Lordship's time to explain to you
my Sentiments with regard to the Value of the Isle of Man in case I am necessitated
by Government to sell it.

I believe it is one of the most improveable Estates in Britain, as it undoubtedly
is the most honourable; the income of it is more double since the late Duke succeeded
to it, and is still daily increasing: The real money which was paid into the
Dukes Bankers hands in England for the last six years after every deduction whatever,
amounts to £13,934 Sterling which at an Average is £1[?]322 p^r Annum; This
produce I believe is more than most Freehold Estates in England that are called
£10,000. a year; — Above £5000. of this arises from the Customs and I have strong
reason to think (the duty being now so extreamly low) may be doubled with the consent
and satisfaction of the People who are very desirous that we should not part with
the Island; And I believe this may be done the first time we go there which we
intend doing next Summer; the places and lenefices in the Lord's Gift, Ecclesiastical
and Civil, with their Sallaries and perquisites amount to near £3000 p^r Annum:

the