"The examination of the eight smugglers that were captured by the Vigilant Revenue cutter on the 1st and 4th inst., took place before the magistrates at Chatham, on Wednesday last; and, being found guilty of a breach of the revenue laws, were convicted, and, being disposed of, the cutter sailed for her station on Thursday. On the following day she made another seizure of 142 half ankers of foreign spirits, which were delivered to the Customs at Rochester, on Saturday. This seizure is the fourth that has been brought by the Vigilant into this port within twelve days, each seizure being the work of a separate cruise; that is, the cutter sailed to sea, made the capture, and returned to the port—the time including the cutter's detention for the trial of the smugglers.
"Smuggling has recently become much more prevalent on the coasts of Hampshire and Sussex than it has been for some months. This is to be ascribed, we are told, to the almost total absence of cruisers in the Channel. If so, where are our Revenue cruisers, or, what are they doing? If the country can afford to employ but few vessels, these few should be well-disposed and kept actively at work.
"The Mary smack, of twenty tons, with two men belonging to this port, was seized in this harbour on Friday, by Mr. Morgan of the coastguard, having a false bottom containing sixty-three half ankers, fifty quarter ankers, and fourteen jars of spirits, with four canisters of tea, regularly built outside her original bottom, and executed in such a complete manner that it would have been impossible to have discovered it but by information, which we understood was received from the Board."
From the Brighton Herald, June 16, 1832—
"A large and most valuable seizure was made at the port of Shoreham, by the officers of the coastguard, on the morning of the 13th inst. This great prize to the captors consisted of a ketch-rigged vessel of about sixty tons burden, called the New Speedwell, of Portsmouth, the boat belonging to her, a large barge or lighter, which was brought alongside the vessel, and into which a portion of the goods were unshipped, three men, being the master and crew; together with 238 bales of tobacco stalks for the purpose of being manufactured into snuff, weighing about 1300 lbs.; 27 bales of leaf tobacco weighing about 1100 lbs.; 35 bales of tobacco stalk flour weighing about 1000 lbs., and 1 box containing 23 lbs. of cigars, the value of which, it is said, is estimated at upwards of £3000."
The Chelmsford Chronicle, quoted in the Times of May 4, 1833, is responsible for the following:—
"Capture of a Smuggler.
"A seizure, more valuable than has been made in this and the adjacent counties for many years, was effected in the Crouch river in the course of last week. Captain Dodd, master of the coal brig Nancy, of Newcastle, sold his pretended cargo of coal to a merchant with whom he had frequently traded, and was proceeding up the river to his destination, when the brig was boarded by Mr. Read, chief boatman of the Crouch guard station, who, observing something unusual in the conduct of the master, and that he left the vessel in an abrupt manner, his suspicions were excited, and he immediately set about an inspection, which led to a most important discovery. The coals at the top were found to be but a thin covering to a cargo of contraband goods, which, with the brig and crew, were immediately taken possession of and brought round to Collier's reach, where the cargo is now unloading; but, the coals being so mixed with the smuggled goods, present considerable difficulties, as it is calculated that there are five hundred packages of spirits and dried goods. Those already landed and safely deposited at the Custom House at Maldon, some of which were found secreted even in the fore and maintops, and consisting of spirits and tobacco, are estimated to be worth £1500; and it is expected that the whole cargo, with the brig itself, will bring from £3000 to £5000."
CHAPTER XXIX.
Legitimate trade — The "truck" system — Its downfall — State of trade — Newspaper stamps — Steel pens — Literature — List of authors — Painters — Sculptors.