[From Atholl Papers - AP X28-20]

[Report by Gov Cochrane] No 3^d Septr 18^th 1756

My Lord

My last was No 2d August 17 in which I acquainted your Grace that we were to pay Mr George Moore £505 which we have don and have given Capt Charles Lace 500 Guineas to carry to Liverpool and by the time that Capt Lace returns to the Island I expect we shall such a sum if not more to send to Liverpool. We have had of late a glorious time a great many ships arryved with Rum &c and to my great surprise all our ships has escaped the many privateers that are now upon the seas.

Some time ago we had a dispute in the Island betwixt the natives and those Gentlemen who are of other countrys who are called Forreigners in relation to debts due to the Natives and to the Forreigners. The Natives claims a priority that is to say the natives are first to be payed before the Forreigners get anything. This affair came before the Court of Chancery in the Island the Court gave A in favour of the Natives which decree is now affirmed by the Attorney General which has greatly alarmed those Gentlemen who are called Forreigners and as the greatest part of the Trade of the Island is carryed on by those Gentlemen I believe there will be a necessity to review one old custom in order to naturalise a great many of those Gentlemen in order to putt them upon a footing with the Natives. The manner of doing it I here inclose to your Grace Messrs Forbes, Ros,s Black, Arthur, Kennedy, Thomson and Folley and several more Gentlemen are of great consequence to the trade of this Island. Upon hearing of this case before the Attorney General he took notice that it was a genrl custom and great discouragement to Trade and wished the Legislative in the Isle of Mann would alter that custom. To propose a Law to that effect I believe would meet with oppossition besides I think it is far better for your Grace to keep that perogative to your self and to naturalise those whom your Grace thinks proper to direct as several merchants here are very anxious about this affair they have therefore sent this express that your Grace's pleasure may be known and realy my Lord I think it if great consequence to keep those Gentlemen in good humour who are of so great consequence to trade and to the good of the Island in General.

By the bearer I have sent the [] our Herring Fishing continues which brings a great deal of money into the Island and as we have fine weather I hope we will have a plentifull harvest.

I am with great esteem

My Lord Your Grace's Most faithfull and most obedient humble servant

Basil Cochrane