Collector to Board Letters Book 1800 - 1801 (No. 23)

These extracts are a partial transcription of the book held at the National Archives reference, CUST 61/15, words are shown in italics in case of doubt. Items in blue are additional or background information. I do not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracies.

30 June 1800                 The Smack George and Mary of this Port having been taken by a French Privateer together with the Certificate of Registry and Licence granted for the Vessel as appears by the Affidavit of the Owner and Master herewith transmitted he humbly prays your Honors will allow the Registry to be cancelled.

We also transmit a Copy of the Certificate of Registry granted at this Port for the Vessel that your Honors may give such Directions thereon as you shall judge necessary, and we think it very probable that the Vessel which was carried into Cherburgh may be sent to cruize again under the same Register and Licence in the Smugling Trade or otherwise.

Affidavit                         George Corke of Cowes in the Isle of Wight Mariner late Sole Owner and Master of the Smack George & Mary registered at this Port on the 25 January 1792 No. 1 maketh Oath that on the 28^th day of May 1800 as he was returning from Sea in his Vessel with Passengers and Dispatches taken off the Dublin Homeward bound East Indiaman he was taken by a French Cutter Privateer of 14 Guns about 5 Leagues of the Isle of Wight and was carried into Cherburgh in France, that the Certificate of Registry as aforesaid together with the Licence was taken from him by the Officers of the Privateer and have not been returned to him nor is he likely to recover the same.

7 July 1800                    The Triangles used for the Scales on Newport Quay in this Port being very old and nearly unserviceable we transmit an Estimate of the Expence of providing a new set which amounts to £4 – 0 – 0 and we pray your Directions thereon.

9 July 1800                    We beg leave to submit to your Consideration if it will not be a great accommodation to the Families of the Mariners belonging to the Swan Cutter residing at or near Weymouth whose names are particularized on the Back hereof if their allotment of Wages directed by your Order of the 8^th Instant to be paid Monthly is advanced to them by the Collector of Weymouth and if your Honors agree the proposal and think it fit to give Directions accordingly we submit that the Collector of Weymouth may either take credit for the Money advanced in his Incidental Payments furnishing at the end of the Quarter the Collector of this Port with an Account thereof for his Guidance deducting the same from the Wages due to the Mariners on their return home.

Or if your Honors should think the whole of the Expense of the Cutter should appear on the Accounts of this Port the Collector at Weymouth may be reimbursed the Money advanced by him by a Remittance from the Collector here on his transmitting to us an Account thereof with proper Receipts and Vouchers Quarterly.

E Chapman       Weymouth                    William Ford      Abbotsbury

Stephen Dier     Weymouth                    John Ford          Abbotsbury

William Attwell   Weymouth                    James Crew      Abbotsbury

John Bartlett      Weymouth

29 July 1800                  Further Security by Bond being required by an Act of the present Session of Parliament Ch 51 Sect 17 from the Owners of Vessels and Boats Licenced by their Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and a form of the Bond to be taken in consequence of the said Act having been transmitted to us in your Order of the 21^st Inst.

We humbly beg to be informed whether it is not intended that the Owners of Vessels already Licenced and who have given Security by Bond should be called upon to renew the Security with the Additional Conditions specified in the new form, as well as the Owners of such Vessels as may be hereafter Licenced.

And whether those who are called upon to give Security can be exempted from the Stamp Duties due by Law on all Bonds as we do not observe any Clause of Exemption in the Act of Parliament in favour of those who have already given Bonds when their Licences were granted, many of whom we apprehend will object to the Additional Expence.

1 August 1800               In return to your Order of the 24^th Ult. we beg leave to acquaint you that the only Person present when David White obstructed and assaulted the Officer was White’s Brother who we have no reason to think would come forward as a voluntary Evidence to corroborate the testimony of the Officer and we understand that David White himself has now absconded.

27 August 1800             The Six Oard Boat being built by your Orders for the Service at Yarmouth in this Port being nearly ready to launch Mr Robert Willis the Sitter humbly prays to be supplied with Colours, Compass, Spy Glass & Arms necessary for their use on the Boat.

8 September 1800          Sundry vessels laden with Barrack Materials from Guernsey have arrived at this Port, and being accompanied with Certificates from the Barrack Master and Register of Certificates testifying the Articles to be Government Property we have in obedience to your Order of the 29^th Ult. admitted the Goods to be landed under the inspection of the proper Officer by Special Sufferance.

The Masters of the Vessels objected to paying the Tonnage Duty of 6d per Ton on the Ground of having been told that they were not liable to pay any Duties being laden with Government Stores.

But the Act of the 38^th of the King Ch 76 having subjected all Ships and Vessels entering Inwards or Outwards except in Ballast to the Payment of Tonnage Duty we have thought it incumbent on us to charge and receive the same considering it legally due are not Kings Ships or Transports in Government Service but Hired in Freight for the purpose and that the Tonnage Duty is a Charge on the Ship not on the Goods.

But if your Honors should be of a different Opinion, the Duty received may be returned by special Certificate and we pray your Directions accordingly, in the mean time we shall continue to receive and carry to Account Duty received on such Vessels as may arrive with similar Cargoes.

6 October 1800              Mr Ferris, Commander of the Swan Cutter having when at Oporto on public Service purchased Three Quarter Casks of Wine for Private Use lodged them on his return in the Kings Warehouse at this Port and humbly prays your Honours will be pleased to allow them to be admitted to an Entry and payment of Duties.

6 October 1800              Inclosed we transmit an Application from Mr William Ferris Commander of the Swan Cutter in the Service at this Port praying to be supplied with a new Four Oard Boat which he represents as necessary for the Service and also a new Gaff Top Sail.

The Expence of the Boat by the Estimate which we also transmit will be £26 –9 – 0.

7 October 1800              Since writing to your Honors on the 2^nd Inst. respecting the Ship Nonparial of London arrived here with a Cargo of Wheat from Archangel the Master with another Person (we believe the Owner of the Ship) has been at the Custom House signifying their intention of Exporting the Cargo to Lisbon and insisting upon their right to do so, alledging that many Ships with similar Cargoes have gone from London and that several under similar Circumstances are now at Spithead to sail with the first Convoy to foreign Ports and intimating that in Case the Ship was not permitted to sail they should deliver a Bill of Parcels and throw the Ship and Cargo on our hands.

We have no wish to prevent the Exportation of this Wheat if it can be legally Exported, nor are we to be intimidated or deterred from doing our Duty by any threat of this kind which has been thrown out.

But we beg leave to draw your Honors early attention to the particular Circumstances of this case that we may receive your Directions with the Loss of as little Time as possible as we shall not think ourselves warranted in suffering the Ship to proceed to a foreign Port without your Permission and entertain great doubts whether what has already been done does not subject the Ship & Cargo to forfeiture.

That the Cargo was originally shipped & intended for this Port every Circumstance of the transaction tends to prove and it is confirmed by the Master bringing the Ship into Harbour on his Arrival and signifying his intention of going further up the River if the Tide would have allowed him because the Merchant to whom the Cargo was to be delivered resided at Newport and it was not till after he had seen the Merchant and consulted him that the Manifest which was transmitted in our former Letter was delivered to the Tide Surveyor – add to which the Mate and great part of the Crew had quitted the ship as we are informed because they did not enter or engage to go further than Cowes and the Master has admitted that a new Charter Party has been signed in London since the Ship has been here for him proceeding to Lisbon consequently for him receiving more Freight than he was originally to have had.

Notwithstanding all which the Parties contend no Importation of the Cargo has taken place because the Master had not made a regular Report on Oath that the Cargo was consigned to this Port, on the contrary we contend that coming into Port was manifestly with the intention to land and that the Importation is complete consequently the Export is prohibited by Law under the 39 of the King Ch 87 and that the Masters persisting in carrying the Ship from the Harbour to the Road before the Cargo is entered and landed that Exportation which the Law does not allow at present all which is respectfully submitted to your Honors consideration and we have only further to add that if this and similar transactions are allowed not only the Laws encouraging free Importation of Corn and prohibiting Exportation may be evaded but the Tonnage Duty by the Convoys Act evades as Ships will in fact perform two Voyages without paying the Duty Inwards or Outwards.

24 October 1800            John Harris, a Deputed Mariner belonging to the Swan Cutter in the Service at this Port having in the Execution of his duty fell down the Hatchway of the Cutter and broken one of his Ribs and otherwise been much bruised.

We submit to your Honors the Surgeons Bill for Medicines and Care amounting to £1 – 19 – 9 which Harris humbly prays yr. Honours will be pleased to order to be paid for him and it is certi­fied by the Commander that the accident happened when he was in the Execution of his Duty.

13 November 1800         Mr Ferris Commander of the Swan Cutter in the Service at this Port has represented to us that in the Gales of Wind on the 9^th Inst. being at Anchor in Dungerness Road owing to the Violence of the Gale lost his cable and Anchor. That he humbly prays Yr. Honors Directions for providing a new Anchor from Mr Allen Anchor Smith at Poole and to be provided with a new Cable.

24 December 1800         We beg leave to acquaint you that in the Night of the 13^th Inst. a Warehouse at this Port in which was deposited under the Kings Locks the Cargo of a Prize Ship called the Immanuel landed by virtue of a Commission from the High Court of Admiralty was forcibly broke open and robb’d of sundry pieces of German Linens supposed in Number about one Hundred being part of the Goods for which a Decree of Restitution had been obtained.

The Merchant owner of the Store House has offered by the inclosed advertisement a Reward of fifty Guineas for discovery of the Offenders but hitherto without effect.

Should your Honors be of the Opinion that any further Reward should be offered by Government on Account of the Goods having been under the Kings Locks we submit whether if a promise of his Majesty’s Pardon could be obtained for any person concerned in the Burglary and Robbery except the Person who actually broke open the Door which might not induce some of the accomplices to turn Kings Evidence. [A marginal note states “The Board do not think fit to offer any further Reward”.]

7 January 1801              We pray your Honors will be pleased to give Directions to the Collector at Arundel to draw on the Collector here for the Sum of  £45 – 4 – 3¾ pursuant to your Order of the 9^th of September last – He thought it necessary by Letter of the 18^th of October last to complain that a Bill which he had drawn was refused payment & returned in Answer to which Complaint we acquainted your Honors that it was owing to the Bill not being drawn for the right sum & negotiated without the Indorsement of the Person to whom it was made payable, since which no application has been made for the Money & it remains in the Collectors hands here unappropriated.

13 January 1801            We pray that your Honors will be pleased to order a Dozen large good Padlocks to be provided and sent for the Service at this Port, they are wanted to secure different Warehouses in which Goods are frequently deposited under the Kings Locks.

Only Padlocks of Inferior Quality are to be got here, and it is often found that one Key will open different Locks. 

We recommend that the Locks and Keys should be marked with progressive and corresponding Numbers and that they may be stamped to denote them being Kings Locks.

14 January 1801            Finding it to be of great advantage that seizures of Spirits when brought to the Warehouse should be started into large Casks and being at this Time in want of two additional ones, we beg to recommend to your Honors to allow us to purchase at this Port two large Iron bound Casks in very good condition, one containing 320 and the other 318 Gallons which we have an opportunity of buying for the sum of £12 – 12 – 0 if your Honors approve thereof. We are humbly of the opinion they are worth the Money and it will be a saving to the Crown.

14 January 1801            A New Boat having been provided for the Service at Yarmouth in pursuance to your Order of the 17^th October. We herewith transmit the Tradesmans Bills for the same amounting to £38 – 10 – 0 after making the deductions directed by your said Order from the Estimate before sent and the Tide Surveyor having attested the Bills as correct we pray your Directions for paying the same.

16 January 1801            We herewith transmit a list of Vessels which have been detained at this Port in pursuance of your Order of the 14^th Inst.

A List of Russian, Danish and Swedish Vessels now at this Port and detained under the Order of 14 January 1801

20 January 1801            Messrs Day of this Port having Purchased two Revenue Cutters sold here by Directions from the Commissioners of Excise after having been some time employed in their service.

We have been applied to by the Purchasers to grant Certificates of Registry for the said Vessels on the grounds that the Certificate granted by the Collector of Excise which we hereby transmit.

As it has always been usual for Cutters worn out in your Service to be broke up before they were sold, and no Instance of similar application for Register for Cutter that have been employed as Revenue Cruizers we do not feel ourselves warranted in granting the Register required on the Certificate produced without your Special Directions.

And if your Honors should be of the Opinion the Purchasers are entitled to Register for these Vessels we submit if it will not be necessary that the Certificates required by the 20 Sect of the 26 of the King Chap 60 should be produced from the Builders before any Register is granted.

23 January 1801            Mr William Ferris Commander of the Swan Cutter in the Service at this Port having by the inclosed Letter represented to us that the Bowsprit of the Cutter is sprung & that it is necessary the same should be replaced by a new one & finding on consulting Mr Gely the Builder that a Stick fit for the purpose may be purchased from Messrs. Days at this place we have procured from them an Estimate of the Price thereof, which we herewith transmit & pray your Directions respecting the same.

Estimate     Spar 61 Feet in length & 19 Inches in the Butt warranted round   £68 – 5 – 0

26 January 1801            As directed by your Order of the 23^rd Inst. we have called upon the Tide Surveyor for another Certificate in the room of the defective one returned with your said Order & herewith transmit the same.

14 February 1801           In return to your Order of the 12^th Inst. we acquaint you that since our Letter of the 20^th Ult. Certificates have been produced to us that the two Cutters sold by the Commissioners of Excise were built one at Dover and the other at Plymouth and Mr Sarmon in the Service of the Excise has made Oath before us that the Cutters purchased by Messrs. Days were the identical Cutters described in the Certificates.

Messrs. Days inform us that they propose employing the Vessels as Privateers and intend applying for Letters of Marque so soon as the Register were granted, they are both fitted with running Bowsprits.

3 March 1801                Early this morning died suddenly Mr William Arnold, the Collector on the establishment at this Port.

Thos Thorold, Chief Clerk

Jno. Ward.

10 March 1801               Mr Harcourt Roe being arrived at this Port to carry on the Collector in obedience to your Honors Order to him of the 5^th Inst., he has in conjunction with the Comptroller proceeded to state what appears to be due to the Crown from the late Collector, an abstract of which is on the back & which we pray leave to refer.

Money due to the Crown from William Arnold Esq late Collector

Customs           396 – 0 – 4½

Civil List            82 – 17 – 11½

Deposits           367 – 9 – 4

Seizures           1037 – 0 – 2

                      £1883 – 7 – 10

8 April 1801                   Mr Isham Chapman who is nominated to be Deputy Comptroller at the Port in the Room of Mr John Ward promoted to Collector as mentioned in Mr Secretary’s Letter of the 4^th Instant is the same Person who is at present the Landing Surveyor at this Port. We beg leave to remark that Mr Wards Letter of nomination has not been received.

9 April 1801                   Mr John Ward who is nominated to be Collector at this Port in the room of Mr William Arnold deceased as signified in your Letter of the 8^th Instant is the same person who now executes the Office of Comptroller at this Port.

15 April 1801                 Inclosed we transmit the Surveying Officers Certificates for obtaining Admiralty Licences for the Brigs & Smacks mentioned on the back neither of the owners of which nor the Masters have to our knowledge or what we can learn been convicted of Smuggling.

Brig Flora of Cowes                                Thomas Day sole Owner for Guns and Ammunition

Smack Two Brothers of Cowes                John Moore Owner Running Bowsprit

Smack Henry of Cowes                          James Moth Owner Running Bowsprit

[This was a regular report made by the Collector.]

17 March 1801 [but included with April letters.]           In Obedience to your Order of 11^th Inst. we transmit an Account of the day Pay due to the several Officers at this Port under the Treasury Warrant of the 20^th Ult. which is carefully made up from the Tide Surveyors returns and from the Journals of the Sitters and Boatmen which we have duly examined amounting to £22 – 6 – 6.

It has hitherto been the practice at this Port to settle with such Officers entitled to day Pay once a Quarter only, but advances of Money are paid to them from time to time as exigencies required.

The future mode of payment to these Officers intended to be adopted by your Honors is certainly a very desirable one so far as regards Officers constantly employed in the boats stationed at a distance from the Custom House but for such as are situated immediately at the Port we apprehend a weekly payment as is the practice at some Ports as they are discharged from any Ship or particular Duty on the Tide Surveyor making such a Bill on the proper printed form would be more satisfactory to the Officer.

We beg to be informed whether the Extra Men who may in future be exclusively employed as Tide Waiters, Boatmen &c are to receive the same Day Pay as Officers on the five Pound list, and what deduction under the new Regulations is to be made from the Deputed Tide Waiters &c to be applied to the Superannuation Fund.

21 April 1801                 Mr Ferris Commander of the Swan Cutter in the Service at this Port having acquainted us that he has in his Hands the Sum of  £30 – 3 – 4¾ being Seizure Money due to Mariners who have from Time to Time served on the said Cutter. We pray your directions for the Disposal of this Money.

5 May 1801                   We beg leave to Enclose a Letter from Mr Francis Terrell Coastwaiter at Newport on the subject of the Seizure of a Quantity of East India Beads made by him upon the 23 December 1795 in conjunction with William Robey Riding Officers & some Officers of Excise.

The Beads were found concealed on the Premises of Phillip Riddett of St Hellens in the Isle of Wight who by your Order of the 6 May 1796 was prosecuted in the Court of the Exchequer for treble the Value of the Goods and the Sum of 150£ received and paid into the Hands of Mr W Arnold the late Collector at this Port and by him remitted Mr W Cooper the Solicitor on 15 June 1797.

Three Petitions from the Officers concerned in making the Seizure praying to be allowed a Part of the Penalty recovered from the Defendant have been reported on by the Collector & Comptroller at this Port and transmitted to the Board the last of which is dated 21^st May 1798 but no directions appear to have been given thereon.

On behalf of Terrell and Robey, very active and deserving Officers, and for their Encouragement, we presume to solicit your Honors Order for them to be allowed part of the Penalty received.

7 May 1801                   We have today admitted Mr John Ward to the Office of Collector of Customs at this Port in Obedience to your Order of the 6^th Inst.

7 May 1801                   Mr Isham Chapman late Landing Surveyor at this Port being gone to Portsmouth to be instructed for the Office of Comptroller here in obedience to your Order of the 30^th Ult. – that the Service might not suffer in Consequence of the Vacancy we have directed Mr Henry Cox, the Senior Landing Waiter to act as Landing Surveyor till the Boards pleasure shall be known.

11 May 1801                 In return to Mr Secretary’s Letter of the 29 Ult. directing us to call on Captain Ferris of the Swan Cutter for Vouchers for his Disbursements in the Michaelmas Quarter last transmitted in a Preparatory Account to the Board in the Collector and Comptrollers Letter of 7 November last.

We have in obedience thereto made the necessary enquiry and now transmit Captain Ferris Report with an Order from Captain Eyles of the Renown Man of War to ship the Pilot and a Receipt for his Pilotage.

Captain Ferris’s Letter                In answer to the Boards Letter of the 29^th Ult. I enclose you the Voucher for Pilotage paid to George Love amounting to £31 – 16 – 10. I likewise include the Order I received from Captain Eyles in Vigo Bay of His Majesty’s Ship Renown to take on board the Pilot for whom I charged Victualling notwithstanding the Order is for only two Persons (a Man and a Woman) in virtue of the said Order and being under the Directions of S B Warner I thought it my Duty to comply therewith. I humbly hope their Honors will allow the said Charge for Victualling them.

14 May 1801                 No Person at this Port since the late Collectors Death being authorized to receive Affidavits in the Courts of the Exchequer and Kings Bench, I humbly request your Honors will be be pleased to direct that the Solicitors to provide me with a Commission for each Court, frequent Occasions occurring here for Affidavits to be made in each.

15 May 1801                 There being no Fire Arms at this port for the use of the Officers in Case of need and none having been received for more than 20 years past, we humbly crave to be allowed for the protection of the Crowns property a similar proportion of such articles as are usually granted by your Honours to other Ports.

            16 Carbines

            16 Pistols

            16 Sabres

20 May 1801                 The Offices above stairs at this Port being greatly in want of Painting not having been laid on since the year 1792 when your Honors became Lessees of the Custom House for the Crown. We beg leave to transmit an Estimate for one coat of Paint to be put on amounting to          £9 – 11 – 0 for which we humbly crave your Honors Directions taking the Liberty to submit our Opinion that as the Crown have Conditioned to keep the Premises in Repair during the Lease it is advisable that the same be executed forthwith.

20 May 1801                 Inclosed we transmit the Surveying Officers Certificate to obtain an Admiralty Licence for the Vessel mentioned on the back hereof. On reference to the Personal Case Book kept in this Office it appears that George Francis who is a Boat Builder and part Owner was convicted before the Justices in the Year 1795 for Harbouring 3 Pieces of Prohibited Silk Handkerchief. Pleasant Francis the other Owner and Master was never convicted of Smugling to our knowledge.

2 June 1801                   As directed by your Order of 21 Ult. we transmit a Certificate of Baptism of James Hollis nominated to be a Coastwaiter at this Port in the room of John Cheverton deceased.

It appears that the said Hollis is Upwards of 49 Years of Age.

Copy of Certificate          Parish of Shalfleet in the Isle of Wight County of Southampton. Extract from the Register Book. March 30^th One Thousand and Seven Hundred fifty two Baptised James Son of Thomas and Miriam Hollis. G Rigby, Curate.

3 June 1801                   In obedience to your Order of the 23 Ult. we have called on the Tide Surveyor to furnish us with the Values of the Boats including their Materials for which we sent up Certificates to obtain Admiralty Licences in our Letter of 20 April. The Value of each Boat respectively is particularized on the back hereof to which we have taken the liberty to subjoin the Values of 2 other Boats applied for in a subsequent Letter dated 26 May.

We have also given directions to the Tide Surveyor that in all instances where the Owners of Boats apply for Admiralty Licences he is to take Care to note at the bottom of the Certificate the full Value of each Boat including the Materials.

8 June 1801                   In obedience to your Order of the 6^th Inst. we beg to report that the kind of Fire Arms applied for by us on 14 May last was intended for the use of the Tide Surveyor and his Boats Crew, and the Remainder Viz. 10 Carbines 10 Pistols and 10 Sabres were meant to be lodged in our Custody in the Office above Stairs and to be given out as occasion may require to such Tidesmen or others who may be directed to Act on any Legal or Special Revenue business.

9 June 1801                   We beg leave to state to your Honors that the Return made to your Order of 11 March last for transmitting a list of Tidesmen Entitled to Day Pay under the Treasury Warrant of 20 February last the late Acting Collector omitted to include William Ralph and Robert Flux Tidewaiters of some Years standing on the Establishment of this Port – Mr Roe’s reason for so doing was that he or eventually his successor might have the Opportunity of representing specially to your Honors the distinct Services of these men from the other Tidesmen.

As Midsummer Quarter is drawing to a close and we are without your Directions for paying the Tidewaiters &c under the new arrangements we take the Liberty to state to your Honors that William Ralph has been 5½ Years Assistant Warehouse Keeper under the Collector and he Superintends & Works in the Tobacco & Spirit stores and from the Quantity of Tobacco sent to this Port to be prepared for Sale is constantly employed.

That Robert Flux has lived 6 Years in the Custom House, has charge of the Offices and Premises after Public Hours, assists in the Tobacco and Spirit Stores when Goods are brought in, when Sorting for Sale and Delivery after Condemnation; at other Times unlocks the Store houses on which the Kings Locks are, give occasional Attendances on the Quays and is employed when free on other Duty as a Messenger on Official Business by the Collector and Comptroller.

As it is impossible that the Service of these Men can be dispensed with in the respective Situations before cited, we submit their Cases for your Honors Consideration and directions for paying them.

23 June 1801                 In obedience to your Order of Yesterday respecting our Crave for fire Arms we have examined the Receipt Book kept in Office and cannot find that any Arms have been received since the 5^th December 1738 for the Special use and purposes explained in our Application to your Honors 8 Inst.

The Fire Arms which being in the Office above stairs for a great many Years were 14 Muskets, 12 Pistols and 5 Cutlasses but being from age become totally unserviceable and destroyed with Rust were sold at the last Sale with sundry old Stores the Produce of which will be applied to Consolidated Customs so soon as the Accounts are made.

13 July 1801                  As directed by your Order of the 11^th Inst., we have to report that the Tree tendered to your Honors by Messrs Days at the price of £68 – 5 – 0 to make a Bowsprit for the Swan Cutter was on examination when moved into the Builders Yard found so defective as to be quite unfit for Service.

No other Trunk being available at this Port of sufficient Dimension to form the Bowsprit from – Mr Gely has with some difficulty at Portsmouth a Riga Spruce for that purpose which is charged at £73 – 11, Messrs. Days charge was £68 – 5.

15 July 1801                  We transmit in obedience to your Order of the 9^th Inst. the Sail Makers Estimate for providing Five new Sails for the Roebucks Tender, Good Intent, appointed to assist in the Quarantine Service at the Motherbank.

Captain Stiles has this morning requested us to State to your Honours that the Roebuck Cutter is in want of the following Articles to complete her Refitt, Viz. One new Bobstay Block with Copper Strop and Hook, also a Copper Eye Bolt for the same to go thro’ the Stern, Twelve Handspikes, Twelve Lead Aprons for the Guns, also Twelve Boarding Pikes.

17 July 1801                  George Arnold Esq. a Northamptonshire Gentleman and occasional resident on his Estate at the back of the Isle of Wight, having refused to take up the Licence granted for his Pleasure Boat about two Years ago, on account of the restricted Distance.

Viz. from “Selsey to Portland” he has required to return the Licence to your Honors accompanied by a Letter from Mr Nepean and also to send up a fresh Certificate that he may obtain a Licence to authorise him to sail his Boat from the Thames to Lands End, and to Jersey or Guernsey, if he should feel desirous of going to these places.

This Gentleman has not to our knowledge been convicted of Smuggling nor can we presume to suppose his Boat is kept for any other purpose than Pleasure or Fishing. [A marginal note states “Open Boat two Oars value £40”.]

17 July 1801                  At the request of Captain Ferris we transmit the inclosed Account which he has received from the Collector Newhaven.

He humbly prays your Honors will allow it to be added to the “Account of Commanders, Mates and Mariners Share of Seizures” sent from this Port the 13^th Inst. presuming it was intended to be included under your General Order of 8^th July which has not been received, Captain Ferris states, by the Officers at Newhaven.

Port of Newhaven           An Account of Seizures brought into the Kings Warehouse at this Port, by the Swan Cutter in the Service of this Revenue Stationed at Cowes.

1798

June 21^st The Officers nett Moiety of the produce of the following Goods Viz. 207 Gallons of Brandy, 19 Gallons of Rum, 1053 Gallons of Geneva - £202 – 6 – 3

The Officers nett share of Produce of £480 lb of Tobacco – £ 25 – 18 – 0

To reward for the Tonnage of the Boat Seized for importing Said Goods –  £4 – 16 – 0

NB The Moiety of the Boat Importing the above Goods which was broken up sold and never accounted for by Mr Buckley the late Collector the appraised value was £15 – 0 – 0.

The above is a true extract taken from the Books in this Office – P Simon Collector

21 July 1801                  The Importer of a Quantity of Paving Stone not intended to be used in the Paving of Roads, Making or mending of Roads has objected to pay any Duty thereon believing it is exempt by the 14^th Section of 39^th and 40^th of the King Ch. 51.

We beg to be informed if we are right in charging Duty on Paving Stone when it is declared to be intended to be used for other purposes than Paving Roads, making or mending of Roads, humbly conceiving it to be the Spirit of the Act above quoted as well as the Intention of the Legislature not to free this Species of Stone unless it is bonafide meant to be used in Public Highways or Roads.

We entreat an early answer from your Honors for our Government.

22 May 1801 [but included with July letters]               In obedience to your Order signified to us in Mr Secretary’s Letter of 9^th Inst. to report by what authority we put up to Public Sale the Old Arms without being previously sent to London for examination.         

We have humbly to state to your Honors, that we should not have presumed in this Instance to have acted without your immediate Directions had there been a Musquet or Pistol we considered in a repairable state…..these are Arms as we before appraised your Honours in our Letter of the 23^rd Ult. had hung a considerable number of Years in the Custom House were without Locks, Barrels destroyed with Rust, and Stocks broke and rotten, which we humbly trust will excuse us any apparent want of attention on our part to your Orders which we shall ever study implicitly to pay strict regard to.

They were exposed to Public Auction at our Spirit Sale on the 28 May last and sold in their mutilated state for nineteen shillings. as below particularized, which amount has been applied to Consolidated Customs.

23 July 1801                  We beg leave to acquaint your Honors that the imprest Billed craved in our Letter of the 11^th Instant to defray the Salary and Incidental Charges of the Port, due and unpaid, will not now be wanted. An unexpected Importation of Cotton from America having taken place this Week, the Duties on which, with the influx of 3 or 4 Colliers, will Answer the Amount of Charges as specified in our Monthly Account ending the 5^th Inst. to be due and unpaid. (An Imprest of  £450 had been requested.)

30 July 1801                  We have to report in obedience to your Order of Yesterday that the outside of the Custom House at this Port and the Window Frames were painted in the Michaelmas Quarter 1800 and the Bill amounting to Two Pounds seventeen Shillings and Three pence was paid out of Incidents by your Order of 23^rd December 1800. At present the Outside does not want painting or Repairs.

5 August 1801               Inclosed we transmit in obedience to your Order of 31^st Inst. the return of Tidewaiters and Boatmen belonging to this Port. As the People in the Tidesurveyors Boat are Extra Men and receive from your Honors 2/- per Diem when employed, we are humbly of the Opinion that if they were superceded every a time Tidewaiter is relieved from his Boarding Duty, which as occasions occurs may be for one two or three Days or more, the Tidesurveyor would probably, when all the Tidesmen are required to be boarded on Ships in the Road or Harbour be left without resource or assistance to row his Boat Off – for these Extra Men affirm now it is impossible to maintain themselves and Families even with the certain Wage of 2/- per Diem and if it is to be made more precarious we apprehend it will be difficult to find any Men whatever to go in the Boat and in support of our opinion, one of the Tidesurveyors Crew has quitted the Boat last Week alledging that the payment was insufficient to keep himself and his Family in Bread.

We therefore humbly conceive the Tidewaiters who are only nine in Number at this Port, cannot be usefully employed as Boatmen, to the advantage of the Revenue.

6 August 1801               In return to your Letter of the 31^st Ult. on the Seizure of the Lord Jarvis Lugsail Boat carried into Portsmouth by the Fortune, Lord Amelias Beauclere, We have to state to your Honors the Declarations of Robert Willis Sitter of the Six Oard Boat at Yarmouth, and his Boats Crew, all of whom we have strictly examined on the Matter.

Robert Willis says that on the 19^th May and three Days preceding he was so indisposed as to incapable of performing his Duty in the Boat, that in the Morning of that Day he sent to his People and ordered them to row to Alum Bay and the Needles, and when there, to ascend the Cliff and if they saw anything likely to come in, to hasten back and acquaint him with it (neither of them having a Deputation). The Men returned to Yarmouth about one o’clock and reported that off Hurst Castle they had boarded a Lugsail Boat laden with Tubs and Tobacco, taken by the Fortune Frigate with a Prize Master on board proceeding to Portsmouth. They also mentioned to Willis that the Prize Master whilst they were alongside but not more than ten Minutes at farthest had given them a Pint and a half of Grog to drink in their own Jug, and that they had put an old Man ashore at Hurst Castle by consent of the Prize Master, who said at the time, if they could not land him there, he should be put ashore on the Isle of Wight.  

The said Willis has no reason to believe that any Spirits or Tobacco was taken by any of his People.

John Allen, James Andrews, James Stephens, John Hardey, Robert Squire and Henry Dore composing the Crew of the Six Oard Boat at Yarmouth say, that on the 19^th May having been to the Needles on look out, by the Order of Mr Willis the Sitter, who was ill, they boarded a Lugsail Boat with Tubs and Tobacco, and were informed by the Midshipman in Charge of her that she was a Prize to the Fortune Frigate – during which time they were alongside the Prize, the Midshipman gave them a Pint and a half of Grog to drink, made in their own Jugs, an old Man in the Boat, unknown to these Informants, ask’d to be put on Shore at Hurst, and the Midshipman declaring if they could not land him, as he desired it was his intention to put him on Shore on the Island side, the complied with the Mans request and landed him accordingly at Hurst Castle.

The Informants further declare that as that as the Man was stepping from the Prize into the Boat he caught hold of the Slings of a Cask and had it upon the Gunwale; but on the Midshipman telling him to desist he accordingly did, and the Cask fell among the Rest in the Prize Boat, which they are willing Solemnly to declare on Oath, as well as to testify that not a single drop of Spirit (except the Pint and a half of Grog) given them by the Midshipman or Tobacco was taken from the Prize into their Boat.

The said Men further declare that they should not have so willingly the Man on Shore, had they not learned from the Conversation which took place when alongside the Prize Boat that the Smugling Crew had been kept by Lord Amelius aboard the Fortune.

Having ourselves received Information that a Complaint had been made against these People by the Officer who carried the Seizure into Portsmouth, we considered it our Duty to interrogate Mr Willis on the Business but hearing afterwards that the Collector of Portsmouth would be directed by your Honors to investigate the matter we forbore to report then, what we now transmit in obedience to your Honors command.

11 August 1801             We beg to lay before you a Charge we have thought proper to give Mr John Pain a Landing Waiter and Acting Coast Waiter at this Port for being intoxicated in the discharge of his Official Duty.

It is the first time he has been charged and when sober is a very capable Officer.

Charge              Notwithstanding the repeated admonitions given to you by the late Collector and Comptroller and ourselves to refrain from intemperance in drink and your solemn promise so to do, we are informed of you continuing that practice, and when in the Execution of your Duty, particularly in the discharge of some Slates on the 5^th Inst. which had been Warehoused at this Port out of the Conrad from Beaumaris your intoxication was so great as to render you incapable of endorsing the Sufferance or Warrant intelligently or entering what the quantity delivered was.

We are therefore under the necessity of Charging you with what is here stated and direct you to give us your answer in writing on or before Tuesday next the 11^th Inst. when we shall report the Circumstances to the Honorable Commissioners, taking care to avoid all scurrilous and abusive expressions and returning this Charge.

Answer             I cannot deny the Charge and am very sorry for it. I had returned from Newport late in the Evening and being much fatigued I was imprudent to drink with some Friends, which caused the irregularity on endorsing the Sufferance for Slates by the Sloop Conrad.

I humbly hope this Offence will be passed over & I beg leave to assure you my future Conduct shall be such as will not unworthy any Charity which is shown to me.

13 August 1801             We think it our Duty to lay before you the Inclosed Account of the Sale of Brandy out of a Stranded Ship at the Back of the Isle of Wight in the Year 1788 for which property a Mr Forbes of Gosport was Agent.

The Adjudication of the Justices not having been concurred in by your Honors for allowing so much of the Brandy to be sold Duty Free to defray what they considered Salvage Charges, created an opposition on the Part of Mr Forbes, who afterwards preferred an Action against Mr Arnold.

It appears by your Honors Order of 19^th February 1790 you had consented by directions given to your Solicitor, Mr Cooper that this matter should be decided in the Court of Exchequer by a Special Case to be agreed between the Council for the Crown and those for the Claimants of Salvage, but as we are unacquainted with the Issue of the Arguments we pray to refer your Honors to Mr Cooper for further Information on the Subject.

As the transactions happened before we were in Office, we can only inform your Honors that by reference to Vouchers it appears the Account is still unliquidated, that no entry for Duties was ever pass’d and there is a Balance of £198 –4 – 9 to the Crown and the Proprietor of the Brandy agreeable to the Inclosed Statement

We have already apprized the Representatives of the late Collector of the above Circumstances, who are willing to account to your Honors for the said Balance whenever you please to call on them.

19 August 1801             Mr Francis Tide Surveyor having represented to us he is in much need of a second Boat at the Watch House to use when the present Four Oar’d Boat is haul’d up or under a Refitt.

We take the liberty of transmitting the Inclosed Estimate from a Boat Builder of Character at this Port amounting to Twenty One Pounds and Two Shillings humbly craving your Honors to grant his request as we consider it essentially necessary he should have a Second Boat to use when the Revenue Service requires it.

We beg also to add, that this application of the Tide Surveyor only extends to replace the Second Boat which was lent to Mr Willis, the Sitter at Yarmouth about 18 Months back whilst a new one was building for him, and that the Boat when delivered out of Mr Francis possession being 12 years old, she soon became dangerous and unserviceable and has since been broke up and the proceeds amounting to £1 – 3 applied on the 30^th October 1800 to Customs.

Amount of Estimate from Robertson        £21 –2 – 0

27 August 1801             Uriah Williams and John Ferris, Mariners belonging to the Swan Cutter having been rendered incapable of Duty by Sickness, Inclosed we transmit the Certificates of two Medical Men to satisfy your Honors of the truth of their respective situations.

Two Seizures having been made by the Swan Cutter Viz. one on the 8^th and the other on the twelfth of May last these Men humbly pray your Honors to permit them to share in the distribution – it appears by Captain Ferris’s Returns of the Seizures into this Office your Petitioners were left on Shore ill when the Cutter went to Sea.

2 September 1801          We transmit Inclosed in obedience to your Order of the 29^th Ult. Two other Estimates for Building a New Boat for the Tide Surveyor.

We humbly crave your Honors immediate directions for Constructing the New Boat, as in event of accident to the present one in use, the Tidesurveyor will be prevented from doing his Duty in boarding his Officers on Ships coming to Anchor in Cowes Roads, where at this time of Year. It frequently happens it is dangerous for a small Boat to venture off.

[The initial estimate was accepted.]

3 September 1801          We hope that we shall be considered as acting quite within the line of our Duty if we take the Liberty of submitting to your Consideration the Inclosed Statement of the Coals brought Coastways to this Port for the Two Years preceding the War and the Years 1799 and 1800.

As it appears by our Official Entries the Quantity is annually increasing and that three Sworn Coal Meters are inadequate to the Service, 2357 Chaldrons & 10 Bushels of last Years Quantity having been Metered by Boatmen and Extramen: we are humbly of the Opinion that it would be in the interest of the Revenue if another Sworn Meter was to be appointed, and give much more general satisfaction to the Trade.

The Cause of the Increase is obviously owing to the Augmentation of Inhabitants in the Isle of Wight and the immense influx of the Military, 4000 of whom forming the Chatham Depot / from the best information we can receive / are likely to be constantly stationed on the Island whose demands must increase rather than decrease the Quantity of Chaldrons to be brought Coastwise. We are prompted by a sense of Duty to submit the Circumstances.

An Increase of 8217 Chaldrons 17 Bushels [A Chaldron appears to be 36 Bushels or 2837 pounds or 1787 kilograms, although this did vary in different parts of the Country.]

11 September 1801        Mr Francis Terrell a Coastwaiter on the Establishment at this Port died Yesterday. We have directed Mr Miller one of the Riding Officers to execute the Duty of Coastwaiter in consequence of Mr Terrells Death till another is appointed or your pleasure is known.

11 September 1801        In obedience to your Order of Yesterday, we have to report that an Admiralty Licence was granted for the Charlotte Packet, now under Seizure at Southampton on the 27^th July 1799 and that Mr James Hoskins the Sole Owner gave Bond, and now stands conditioned at this Office in the Penalty of Four Hundred Pounds.

We cannot find that of the Master James Knight, has given the Smuggling Bond required by the 32^nd of the King, but think it probable it may have been taken at Southampton.

21 September 1801        In return to your Order of enquiry of the 18^th Inst. we have to state that no representation has been made by us to the Board of the necessity of hiring a Warehouse from Isaac Blandford for the use of the Swan Cutter.

Captain Ferris delivered the Bill for the Rent at this Office and requested we would transmit the same with other Vouchers; and as he flatter’d himself your Honors would think the use of such a Warehouse expedient for the preservation of the Cutters Boat and Materials we presume he was induced under such belief to wave the Special Application to your Honors which it was his Duty to make.

30 September 1801        In return to your Order of the 26^th Inst. we beg leave to inclose a Certificate of Baptism for Mr James Snudden who is nominated to be Coastwaiter in the room of Mr Francis Terrell Deceased. And we have to report that he appears to be sufficiently active we have no doubt after instruction he is capable of the Duties of the Office. He is a Man of fair Character, never convicted of Smuggling and not known to have obstructed any Revenue Officers.

This is to Certify that James, the son of James Snudden was baptised September fifteenth One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight as it appears in the Parish Register of Brooke, Isle of Wight in the County of Southampton.

30 September 1801        As directed by your Order of the 21^st Ult. we beg to lay before you the Report of William Robey the Officer who (in conjunction with Francis Terrell since dead) made a Seizure of 170 pieces of East India Silk Handkerchiefs on the Premises of Benjamin Barkham a Farmer living in the Parish of St Hellens in this Island.

William Robey who is a Riding Officer stationed at Ryde says that on the 5^th August last being on the look out he discovered a Boat with several Rowers in her, quitting an East Indiaman laying at Spithead, that as she shaped her course for Shore he proceeded across the Fields to intercept her arrival having every reason to believe she was employed in the Clandestine landing of Prohibited Goods – not being able from the difficulty in getting thro’ the Woods and Hedges to reach the Shore enough to meet the Boat, he had the Mortification to observe that the Boat was then empty, only Two Men left with her. Knowing from appearances that it was probable; the remainder of the Boats Crew must soon return, he judged it politic to continue his concealment in the Bushes, and in a few Minutes after, as he expected, he saw 3 or 4 Men pass accompanied by a Servant of Benjamin Barkham who carried a Jug in his hand, and from which when the Party reached Shore, Robey clearly saw, the Two Men who had remained with the Boat Drink – His suspicion being raised from this Circumstance that Benjamin Barkham must be Privy to the Transaction, he obtained as speedily as possible a Warrant from a Magistrate in virtue of which the same Afternoon in company with poor Terrill, he searched Barkham’s Premises and found secreted in an Outhouse not more that 20 Yards from the Dwelling House used as Robey informs & understands occasionally as a Brewhouse and Washhouse 170 Pieces of East India Silk Handkerchiefs, the Door of which Outhouse was fastened by a Wooden Pin.

8 October 1801              Inclosed we take the liberty of transmitting a Copy of a Report made by Thomas Corke master of the Twins Smack belonging to this Port – in addition to the particulars sent by the Collector to Mr Secretary on the 5^th Inst. to which we beg to refer; Corke says Redhead on his arrival at Guernsey, took Lodgings at the Glatnie, where he called the next day, but did not see him, as he was informed he had left the house about half an hour, tho’ with the intention of returning.

16 October 1801            The American Ship Phoebe Ann which put into this Port on the 18^th Inst. for the causes assigned in the inclosed report has this Morning been Seized by the Tide Surveyor for having Clandestinely been run out of the Ship a Bag containing about Twenty lbs of Coffee and for an attempt to land 2 Boxes and half Box containing 65 lbs of Chocolate.

William Rimer one of the Tidesmen boarded says that about half past 10o’Clock last Night when he had just turn’d in to get a little Sleep he heard a Boat come alongside, and suspecting it was for the purpose of Smuggling he made all haste possible to get on Deck; but before he could reach the Gang Way, a Bag had been thrown by one of the Crew into a small Boat, which Boat immediately put off.  James Sammes the Other Tidesman on board says that at about half past 10 o’Clock he was in the aft Hatch Way of the Phoebe Ann and saw the Man go into the Cabbin and bring therefrom a Bag, and carry it up the Ladder, that while he was preparing to get on Deck to see what the Bag was, the same Person instantly returned to the Cabbin and took up two Boxes, Sammes followed him on the Deck and between the Companion & Main Hatch Way he stopt the Mate with the said Boxes containing 50 lbs of Chocolate, and which he has do doubt was intended to be put over the Ships side into the same Boat where the Bag had been thrown. On searching the Cabbin this Morning another box was found half Empty, which with the other two was brought to the Warehouse, makes the Quantity 65 lbs.

Rimer & Sammes further say that Vinson an Excise Officer boarded also on the Phoebe Ann when the Boat was putting off from the Ships Side cried out return or we will fire at you, in Order to make them bring to.

William Cooper a Tide Waiter belonging to this Port was boarded on the Hoy Nordlyset, at about 40 yards distance in the company of George Hadley an Excise Officer that hearing the cry of return or we will fire at you and seeing a Boat put off from the Phoebe Ann it being then Moonlight immediately jumped into a small Boat belonging to Hadley to intercept the other and just as they had reached it a Bag of Coffee was thrown out of her, which they seized as well as the Boat and have since delivered into our Custody.

Cooper and Hadley further declare that the Persons in the Boat and who threw the Coffee overboard and whom they had watched from the Time the Boat quitted the Ships side were Edward Mitchell a Pilot and Jonathan Downton a Ship Wright both of Cowes. The Ship having a full Freight part of the Cargo, was as we are informed, stowed in the Cabbin.

The above Circumstances are humbly submitted for your Honors Consideration and Directions.

27 October 1801 The Owners of the vessels particularized on the back hereof, who are reputed Smugglers living at St Hellens within this Port having complied with the Law by fixing their Bowsprits and Rigging their craft as Sloops, by which compliance in the event of being detected in their fraudulent Practices, they avoid a Penalty a Vessel is subject to which holds an Admiralty Licence and are induced to be more daring in their Illicit Trade, and as the cessation of the War is likely to increase the Number of these People, we take the liberty of removing the Six Oared Boat now stationed at Yarmouth to St Hellens under the Command of Mr Robert Willis the Sitter, and his Boatmen assuring ourselves, that by your Honors acquiescence, much good may arise to the Revenue from such a change. It is our Duty further to state that Riddett the notorious Smuggler has lately married the Daughter of George Granger the Boatman who has been many Years resident & stationed at St Hellens, and as we conceive such a connection is not likely to benefit the Service, though we have a good opinion of Granger’s Integrity, we submit his Removal to Yarmouth to fill Mr Willis’s Situation as Boatman there and to act in conjunction with Charles Leigh, the other Boatman and Coastwaiter.

30 October 1801            Four Vessels belonging to this Port are just returned from Cherburgh with Passports similar to the Inclosed having on board a few Dozen of Poultry, which was the only Article permitted there to be exported for England.

Having received no answer from your Honors on the representation made in our Letter of 26^th Inst. when the Vessels sailed and in which we required Instructions how to Act when these Vessels returned to Port we have judged it right to put a Tidesman on each Vessel and secure her Detention, til we receive your Order, signifying to us, that the Intercourse is now permitted or such other Directions as your Honors may think proper to Issue us.

31 October 1801            In return to your Order of enquiry of Yesterday we have to report that the Warehouse formerly hired for the Deposit of the Swans Boats and Materials is the property of Mr Alderman Macauley was let to your Honors by as Mr Macauleys Agent for 4/- per Week til the expiration of Christmas 1799 Quarter, when it was taken up by the Government to convert into a Barracks.

13 November 1801         As directed by your Order of Yesterday we have to report that the Vessels which sailed for France without Passports agreeable to the Notice given in our Letter of the 26^th Ult. were we since find nine in number as particularized on the back hereof, four returned to this Port the 30^th Ult. and we apprized your Honors of the Circumstances in our Letter of that date to which we beg to refer, the remainder came into the Harbour the day after.

By the Declarations of their Masters made before us on Oath it Appears that no Article of Merchandize was permitted in Cherburg to be shipt for England and the Vessels returned in Ballast.

Smacks having Admiralty Licence to Foreign Ports as well as Coastwise.

16 November 1801         As directed by your Order of the 12^th Inst respecting the Charge of a Warehouse for the Swans Boats and spare Stores, we have to report that we are of the Opinion that a Warehouse to Lodge the Boats and Cutter Stores is certainly necessary and from the enquiry we have made in obedience to your Honors Order we can with great truth certify that four Shillings a Week is a moderate Charge.

17 November 1801         Inclosed we transmit an Application from William Gregory a Boatman on Incidents at this Port humbly praying your Honors to place him on the Superannuation List. We also transmit an Affidavit of said Gregory agreeable to the Standing Order of 13^th June 1745 and we beg to report that he has been an Officer upwards of Twenty five Years having received a Deputation from the Board 14 May 1776. His Age, Infirmities and defect of Sight render him no longer capable of doing his Duty properly and we beg to recommend him to your Honors Consideration and Compassion.

24 November 1801         We are requested by Mrs Mary Terrell, Widow of your Honors late Coastwaiter at Newport Mr F. Terrell Deceased to transmit the inclosed Incidental Bill of Expences amounting to £5 – 5 incurred by her Husband in discharge if his Duty between the 1^st January 1801 and the 31^st August following.

Wootton Bridge and the Mill are in the District of the Coastwaiter at Newport, but being at a distance as the Bill expresses, the Service could not be properly executed without some personal expence to the Officer which your Honors for several years past have been pleased to allow in consideration of the small Salary Viz. £30 per Annum the Poor Woman his Widow prays your Honors will be pleased to reimburse her.

30 November 1801         On Wednesday Night last the Adeona of London George Fratenby Master from Quebec Laden with Furs, Pots, Ashes and some Staves was Stranded on the Shingles near Hurst Castle – from the continued Violence of the Weather none of the Crew could land, nor assistance from the Shore be given them ‘til Saturday last, when they began to unload a part of the Cargo, in the hope of saving the remainder as well as the Ship.

Application having been made by Mr Auldjo, Agent to the Captain to receive the Goods into his Store, we have sent down to the Spot, Tidesmen to Super-Intend the Unloading, and have granted a Warrant to the Waterside Officers to attend the Deporting of the Merchandize to Secure Warehouses as soon as small Craft shall arrive here with the same.

23 December 1801         In obedience to your Order of the 19^th Inst we have to report the Coast officers of this Port always give personal attendance when Corn or flour is about to be Ship’d or Landed Coastwise and never endorse for more than the Specific Quantity actually to be put on board or landed.

The expediency of this practice in times of Prohibition, was humbly represented to your Honors by the late Collector the 29^th November 1789 and received your approbation. The rule has since been invariably adhered to, and we shall not fail to enforce it.