# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_142116.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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Atholl House 26^th August 1764

My Lords

I have received the honour of your Lordships Letter of
the 25^th July, informing me that in pursuance of the Act of the 12. Geo: 1.^st
you are willing to treat with me for the Purchase of the Isle of Mann. —

I am very sorry to hear there has been so many complaints of
Smuggling from thence, which is a Practice I give no manner of encouragement
to, my Revenues arising from a fair Duty collected upon the importation
of Goods. —

I have the same Ideas with regard to the Sale of the Island that
the late Duke of Atholl had, who always declared that no temptation of gain
could induce him to give up so ancient, so honourable, and so noble, a Birthright
such as no Subject of the Crown of England now has, or ever had, which has
been in our Family near four Centuries; and that he thought nothing could be
an Equivalent to one of his Rank and Circumstances, for so ancient a Patrimony;
at the same time his duty and attachment, to the King was such, that if it
was Esteem'd upon a full consideration an important Point for his Majesty's
Service and for the good of the Publick, He in that Case was willing to enter
into a Treaty for the Disposal of it, and those are the only reasons that can
induce me to do the same. —

The purchase of the Isle of Man has been frequently thought of by
former Administrations but upon Ballancing the advantages and disadvantages
which might arise to Government, they did not think proper to Treat conclu=
sively upon it. Sir Robert Walpole made some Proposals to the late Duke
but afterwards dropt them. M^r Pelham once seem'd very desirous to bring
the Sale to a conclusion, and the Duke of Atholl gave him a true and fair acive [?]

State

MS 09707/6/334/ii

AP 42B-12