# Manx Primary Source Archive — Transcription

**Source image:** `20260219_142323.jpg`  
**Transcribed:** 2026-02-25 19:26  
**Method:** Automated (Claude Batch API — claude-opus-4-6)

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Dunkeld 20 Sep^r. 1761.

My Lord

I some days since received an answer to my letter, from M^r Grenville
and last night had another from y^e Lords of the Treasury, and have taken the
liberty to enclose copies of both for your perusal, at the same time beg the favour of
your advice how it will be proper for me to Act. The late order of Council appointing
Cutters not only to be stationed on the Coast but in y^e Harbours of the Isle of Man
(which I believe never was done before) and the Precipitation with which the Lords
of the Treasury seem to wish to hurry on a Sale, makes me on my part desirous,
as far as I decently can, to delay entering into an immediate Treaty, which is the
reason why I thought it better to answer their letter, than to set out directly for
London: I should imagine that it would be very imprudent and improper for
me to comply with the desire of the Treasury by sending them a full and ample
account of the Customs and Revenues of the Isle of Man to be by them laid before
the House of Commons; as whatever papers were given by the late Duke to the first
Lord of the Treasury were given in confidence, and the contents of them for his
own private information only, and not for public view.

Your Lordship will be best judge how far the delay I mention for a few
months will be thought reasonable, or how far it may be made a handle for the
making some new Act of Parliament distressfull to the Isle of Man, with a
threat of which their letter is concluded. —

If your Lordship thinks my Letter a proper one please order it to be
Sealed and left at the Treasury; if not I shall be very much obliged to you, to
return it me with any amendments or alterations; or if you think that I
need not answer the letter at all, but had better set out imediately for London, please
let me know; My present intention is to be in London five or six weeks hence
if you dont think my being there sooner of any consequence.

The

MS 09707/6/337

AP 42B - 16