T 1/510/235 - Keys enact 1st Statute post Revestment

[the cover note is missing from file so not clear to whom it was addressed - also Majesty's is replaced by Majesties throughout though this may merely be a copyist's error]

Sir

I beg you would please to Signify to the Right Honourable the Lords of His Majesties Treasury, that by Letter from the Isle of Man, I am informed, the Keys of that Island have at a Late meeting at Castletown, Enacted several Laws or Statutes which have been transmitted to One of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State to Obtain His Majesties Royal Approbation.

One of which Statutes relating the Granting of Licences for Retailing Spirituous Liquors, there are Just Grounds to Apprehend may materially affect the Interest of His Majesties Revenue.

I beg leave to Observe that this is the first Instance since the Sale of the Island, that the Keys have Exerted their Legislative Authority, and appears more extraordinary at this time when there is no Attorney General to take care of the Rights of the Crown, therefore to prevent the Consequences Apprehended it is humbly Submitted whether previous to the Application for His Majesties Royal Assent, their Lordships may not think it necessary to direct me to apply to the Governor or Keys to be furnished with Authentick Copies of the Statutes abovementioned.

I am &c Chas Lutwidge

Whitehaven 1st September 1774

Notes

Charles Searle the first Attorney General appointed by London had died in April 1774 - the next Attorney General would be Wadsworth Busk appointed later that year. John Wood was still Governor though not in the best of health but it would seem that the relationship between Wood and Lutwidge was strained, Wood in several letters implies that Lutwidge had not helped in providing funding for himself and the Civil authorities.