[Appendix A(6) 1792 Report of Commissioners of Inquiry]

N° 6.

The EXAMINATION of Mr. WILLIAM CREBBIN, Merchant in Douglas, taken on the 26th and 27th of September 1791 , at Douglas in the Isle of Man.

[Examined by the Duke of Atholl.]

THIS Examinant saith, that he remembers the Isle of Man prior to 1765, and resided here as a Merchant from the Year 1758 to 1765, and during that Period Paul Bridson was Deputy Searcher at Douglas, in Trade, and, as he believes, a Factor for others, and carried on Trade to a great Extent, and was also Head Constable in Douglas, and had two Assistants : He made all the Entries here upon Goods brought from Great Britain and Ireland without the Merchants’ going to Castle Town.—Prior to 1765, he has known some Instances of the Revenues belonging to the Duke of Atholl’s Family not being duly collected ; these Instances took Place, for the most Part, in the Silk Way, and likewise on Teas, Wines, Tobacco, and Brandies ; but not so much. The Temptations laid before the Subject were irresistible ; and he has no Doubt His Grace’s Family was defrauded of some Thousands per Annum.

[ September 27th, 1791. Cross-examined by the Keys.]

And it is consistent with his Knowledge that the Revenues arising to his Grace’s Family were neither fairly entered, collected, nor paid, prior to the Revestment ; meaning, that the Goods were taken on Shore without being entered : He does not know what was the average Amount of the Revenues arising to the Duke of Atholls Family for any Number of Years prior to the Revestment ; he cannot say what Proportion the Goods smuggled into this Island bore to the Goods fairly entered.

[Re-examined by the Duke of Atholl.]

That he was acquainted with the Duties which were payable upon the several Articles of Goods imported into this Island prior to the Revestment : He formed his Opinion of the Losses sustained. by the Duke of Atholl’s Family upon his general Knowledge of what he saw done.

[Cross-examined by the Keys.]

He does not know that these Practices reached the Ears of His Grace's Officers.

WM. CREBBIN

Jn^o Spranger.
W^m Osgoode.
Will^m Roe.
David Reid.