[From Atholl Papers - AP 35-28]

[Letter to Duke of Atholl from Governor Wood, 10 Feb 1769]

Isle of Man 10 Febry 1769

My Lord

I am happy in having the honor of transmitting to your Grace the enclosed letter, also also a copy of the petition of the principal gentlemen & merchants here to the Lords of the Treasury sollicting the removal of certain restrictions and the opening of certain articles of commerce to this Isle, which may answer purposes of government, without being obnoxious to the trade of Brittain. Your Grace will also receive in a cover accompanying this the articles applyed for, with the reasons to be urged in support of their request.

Upon this occasion there was a general meeting at Douglas of the principal people of the isle, who gave in their several schemes, and appointed a comittee of five of their number to reduce them into a plan, and concise the properest means for carrying them into execution. The comittee accordingly put them in the form enclosed, and it gave me the greatest pleasure to find them meeting with the approbation of the civil revenue departments, and of the people in general.

The comittee addressed me to transmitt to your Grace these their procedings with my warmest recomendations, when I told them that I had not, nor could any individual conceive the least doubt of your Grace's zeal & attachment or readiness to promote the public good of this country.

The keys were, upon their application concerned, and have preferred a petition to the King, representing the distresses of the people, and praying some indulgencies in trade, and mentioning these proceedings. - Which petition I transmitted last packet to the Secretary of state, and intimated that tho' a very few (I believe not one in a thousand) might for want of other employment, continue an illicit trade ; yet it was contrary to the general sense of the people, and might now be at an end, if they had any proper encouragement ; that if this or a similar plan was not adopted, the revenues of this Isle would never answer the intention of Government, and the state of the people would soon become truly deplorable. I should also have sent your Grace the petition of the Keys to the King, but understood it has already been transmitted by your Grace's stewards. were I not persuaded that they communicated to your Grace every transaction here worthy your Graces notice, I should not be wanting in that or any other particular. Mrs Woods begs leave to join with me in presenting our most humble respects to your Grace & my lady Duchess. I have the honor to be

With the greatest respects & regard
My Lord your Graces most obedient & most humble servant

John Wood