Whether it may not be judged to be more convenient, upon the discovery of such Offenders, to Prosecute them in the King’s Court of Exchequer, rather than in any Countrey Court adjacent, where such Fact was committed; or where the Offender dwells, least there should be some special correspondence held thereabouts, or interest more readily made in such Courts.
Quære 9.
In case any publique Officer should be surprized, by the subtil contrivance of such Smugglers, with their Atturnies and Clerks, (who frequently use foul practices also,) and that such Officer shall be put to great Charges, possibly beyond his Ability, before he can obtain releif according to the rules of the Law: whether it would not be convenient that such Rules should be made and practiced in all Courts of Judicature, that such publique Officers for the King, should not be exposed to so great charges, by Actions brought against them, meerly out of malice, which are done purely out of design to terrify such Officers, (and to prevent if possible, for the future, the due and faithful Execution of their said Office in such cases,) wherein the Kingdomes good is so much concerned, and that a place was appointed where they might be speedily heard without tedious attendance.
Quære 10.
Whether any Officer that formerly did, or now doth belong to the Customes, or was any wayes intrusted in his Majesties Service, who hath proved unjust, and unfaithful in his Office, either by conniving at such Smugglers, or complying with them, or neglecting (upon complaint made to him) to bring them to condigne punishment, according to the Justice of the Law, ought ever to be intrusted in any publique Imployment for the future.
Quære 11.
Whether by our Laws, any Under Sheriff ought to continue in his Office, more than one year, or to act as Under-Sheriff upon any pretence whatsoever; considering they have such opportunities, to be prejudicial to any person, according to their Interests and inclinations; and they may delay and vex one party, and in the mean time unjustly incourage, and heighten the other; and this is such a thing as often proves very prejudicial to His Majesties Affairs in the Prosecution of such Informations, as may be brought, touching the abuses here mentioned.
Quære 12.
Whether these Officers, that are in Commission or Imployment, that do joyn with, or countenance such as do transgress the King’s Laws, and make it their business to defraud the King of his Dues, or are not ready and forward to do that justice against the Delinquents that so do, ought not to be Displaced, and some way severely Punished?
Quære 13.