T 1/490/109 - Lutwidge's response to Merchants' Petition

This communication from Charles Lutwidge is I think his response to the Petition of the Merchants &c of 20th January 1772 - see T 1/494/12]

The document has significant damage to one margin and along the mid-page fold with loss of text - these sections are indicated [ ] with any enclosed text being my suggestion as to the lost text.

Text

I had the honor of receiving your Letter in course [of]
several papers stating the distressed situation of the Inhabi[tants]
of the Isle of Man in regard to their Trade. Also a Scheme [for]
improving the same as transmitted from the Secretary of []
Office to my Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury
which their Lordships were pleased to direct to be transmitted
to me for my consideration and opinion thereupon.

In due obedience to their Lordships commands I [now?]
beg leave to suggest the following observations.

The proposals contained in the first, second parts []
the third and fourth articles of the inclosed statement []
to foreign trade or the [] of that Island []
[complete line lost]
to this unsurp...] while the [..] [re=]
mains in its present state, they will necessarily interfere w[ith]
the trade and commerce of Great Britain - And such []
total alteration of the Revenue now established in the Isle of
Man is proposed thereby, that it is humbly submitted how far
such a measure may be at this time adviseable. But with
respect to the grievance complained of in the third article v[iz.]
The clause of the Act the 5th of his present Majesty, [re=]
straining vessels sailing from Great Britain and Irel[and]
to foreign parts from touching at this Island. I humbly
observe, that as the Ports of the Isle of Man are now []
guarded against frauds by a sufficient establishment of []
of Revenue and the Bond enjoined by that Clause was only
meant as a temporary precaution to prevent Vessels in the
African trade from taking in certain species of East Ind[ia]
[page 2]
Goods lodged there from Holland which ha[................]
exported and no more can now by Law be imp[orted ........]
is entirely removed and the restriction appears qui[te unecessary?]

2dly Their request with respect to interior Comme[.......]
use of commodities for the consumption of the Inhabi[tants of the]
Island contained in the fifth, sixth and seventh artic[les of the]
inclosed proposals are also liable to many objections - For,
however reasonable it may be to impose small Duties on such
limited quantities of certain articles of consumption as may
supply the Inhabitants, these indulgences should not extend
farther, otherwise it gives them an advantage over the British
Merchant and might open again a door for frauds which
Government has for some years been endeavouring to keep shut.

The [limited]quantities alleged by the [...]
[majority of line lost .....] according to the number of
Inhabitants [then?] estimated at 30,000 - but one third of th[is]
number having since that time by the suppression of their illict
trade been obliged to leave the Island and settle elsewhere,
there is great reason to suspect a bad use my even now be made
of the indulgence granted by the Legislator in case the whole
limited quantities allowed should be imported.

3dly With respect to the ninth proposal relating their
Fisheries, which is one of the princpal grievances complained
of in the enclosed Memorial. It is humbly submitted to
their Lordships, that, for their immediate relief, the People of
the Isle of Man may be permitted to import into England
all fish caught and cured upon the coast of that Island
under the same regulations and upon payment of the [...]
Duties as is directed by the Act of 29th Geo 2d [....]
[page 3]
brought from Scotland into England Also that they
may have liberty (agreeable to the general practice in all the
Ports of Great Britain) to ship upon bond such quantities
of salt in their fishing vessels during the Fishery as
be necessary for the immediate preservation of (or as it is
termed of hurdling) their fish. And to export such fish
immediately from the Isle of Man to the British Plan=
tations in America in the same manner as is allowed to
the inhabitants in Ireland.

The request contained in the tenth Proposal for
allowing an encouragement for the Linen Manufacture
and the growth of Hemp and Flax in the Isle of Mann
appears so equitable It is humbly recommended to T[heir]
Lordships that so soon as a Fund shall be established [..]
that the Premiums and Bounties may be ext[ended to]
that Island.

I am &c
Chas Lutwidge

26th Febry 1772

To []inson Esqre