Fraudulent Practices or Frivolous Complaints?

Sir
The Commissioners received your Letter of 16th November last, signifying that the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, having read the Report of this Board, transmitting the evidence of Mr Wilson (in relation to the fraudulent practices carried on in the Isle of Man) with the Opinions of the Solicitors thereon, Their Lordships are of opinion that though the Testimony of Mr Wilson "may not be sufficient whereon to ground an accusation, yet that it certainly deserves attention and contains very good grounds of suspicion, and reasons for further enquiry" - The Board thereupon transmitted to Mr Lutwidge, Surveyor General and Supervisor for the Coasts of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and the port of Lancaster, a copy of Mr Wilson's Examination, and directed him to make a further enquiry accordingly; And they having received his return - I have their orders to acquaint you that they think the Complaint frivolous and groundless, and to desire You will signify the same to their Lordships for whose more particular Information, You will herewith receive a copy of Mr Lutwidge's said Return.
I am (in the absence of the Secretary) with great respect etc

J Freemantle
Customhouse London
12th January 1765

Notes

In January 1765 the Treasury Commissioners sent requests to various regional Customs Officials asking about possible fraudulent activities originating from the Isle of Man - without sight of the report and Lutwidges comments it is difficult to comment though Lutwidge seemed always willing to assume the worst of the Island activities. One query directed to the Irish customs did produce a response.

The background to this can be found in three documents in the Atholl Papers - at this period there was a friend of the Duke of Atholl who copied various documents to him which is possibly how they landed in this archive

AP_40(B)-14 Letter from Wm Wood to Charles Jenkinson

Sir In my Letter of the 24th of July last, I transmitted to You by the Commissioners directions a Journal of the Proceedings of a Person, who, Mr Burrow, the Collector of the Port of Whitehaven, had lately sent over to the Isle of Man, for making discoveries of the fraudulant practices there committed. And acquainted You, that Mr Burrow was directed to use his utmost endeavours to ascertain the facts represented, or any others of a similar Nature, and the persons concerned; And he having in his Letter of the 20th Instant, transmitted a Journal of the said person's futher proceedings, and an extract of a Letter from one who lives in the Isle of Man; - I have the Board's orders to send to you inclosed a copy of the said Journal and Extract, and also a Copy of Mr Burrow's Letter, and to desire You will be pleased to lay the same before the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury for their infornmation - I am with gret respect etc Wm Wood
Customhouse London
26th September 1764

AP_40(B)-13 Letter from Joseph Burrow to Customhouse London

On the 19th July last. I transmitted your Honrs Copy of Thomas Wilson's Journal, who I had sent to the Isle of Man to procure Information, relative to the Smugling Trade carried on in that Island, and by your Letter of 24th said Month, You were pleased to direct me, to Use my Utmost Endeavours to ascertain the Facts represented, particularly against the Commanders of His Majesty's Cutters, or any other of a Similar Nature and the Persons concerned.

In due Obedience to which as soon as I could meet with the said Wilson (who was in the Country when I received your Orders) I gave him Instructions in Writing and sent him again to the said Island. Yesterday he returned and having this Morning delivered me a Journal of his Proceedings; I take leave to enclose, such Extracts thereof, as relates to the Cutters and Barges employed in the Service of the Customs, as also Copy of Part of a Letter I received a Month ago from one who lives in the Isle of Man, And humbly Observe that as to Ascertaining the Facts there is no reliance to be had, to anything told the said Wilson by any Person in the Island, nor any Proof to be expected, from them, for what they said to him, was as to one they believed to be concerned in the Smugling Trade, and how far his Own Testimony, as to the real Quantities of Goods taken on board by the Cutters and Barges in the Island is to be relied on I dare not aver; It was the Esther Cutter of this place that carried over the Bishop, and as to what was told him at Ramsay 10th Instant, by David Angus and others, relating to her, I much suspect the Truth of it believing Lieutenant Dumeresque who commands her, would not be guilty of such practices, he is now out on a Cruize.
I Am Your Honours etc.
Joseph Burrow
Custom Ho W'haven
20th Septr 1764

AP_40(B)-15 Copy of Part of a Letter from Isle Man & Extract of Wilson's Journal

Sir About 11th July last, or or about that time there was an Acquaintance of mine on board one of His Majesty's Sloops of War, called the Ranger, stationed about the Coast of Scotland, and the Isle of Man. I went on board to see him in the Evening, and stay'd till it was a 11 o'Clock at Night, when there came one Ogilby on Board about the time I was going a Shore, they had one of the Ramsay Boats, which had about Six Ten Gallon Kegs, and about Six or Seven Ten Gallon Kegs, which I Suppose had Tea, in as much as understood, there was none of the Officers knew of it, but themselves, the Captain was in Bed, there was some Cutters had taken Some in afore that time, but I did not know them.

Extract of Wilson's Journal

1st September 1764

This morning the Lurcher Cutter, George Mathews Commander, stationed at Belfast arrived, is the same I gave an Account of in July to take in Two hundred Sixty Gallons of Brandy, I attended her Motions the whole day and Night, saw her Men take off at different times, several Parcels of Tea, and China Ware. The Captain supped at Mr Black's a Merchant with whom he took leave at two in the Morning of the 2d Instant Saw Mr Black's Servant carry down, three large Markett Baskets of China Ware. 15 Dozen of Barcelona Silk Handkerchiefs, and several Paper Parcels of Tea, upon strict Information from the Servants and Clerk (I have got acquainted with) there was carried on board, fifteen Dozen of Handkerchiefs, five Baskets of China Ware Vizt Tea Cups and Saucers, Punch Bowls and Slop Basons and Seventy Pound Weight of Tea, exclusive of the Mens Ventures, and Sixty Gallons of Brandy which I am told, is the constant practice when she Arrives, the Cutter sailed about Three in the Morning.

Septr 5th & 6th

Nothing Material, the 7th at Six in the Morning a Wherry bound for Rush which sailed the day before, was chased back by a Barge in the Service of the Customs at Strangford, in Ireland the Captain's Name is Wheeler, they were very near together, and both run aground, at the End of the Pier, but the Manx Boats going to the Assistance of the Smugler, they took their Goods a Shore. The Barge soon after went to Derby Haven near Castletown to which place I followed her (being told she has taken in some Goods at Douglas) and stayed till the 8th in the afternoon, here I saw both Bottles and Casks of Brandy go on board, about Ninety Gallons & about Fifty Pounds of Tea, she went to Ramsay and there was told, she did the same; My Landlord at CastleTown, and some others who Assisted him Assured me, the Hornet Cutter, had taken on board the 1st of September One hundred and fifty Pounds Value of Goods at Derby Haven.

September 10th

Went to Ramsay here I was to;d by David Angus and many others, that the Ranger Sloop of War, Captain Paisly Commander and the Hunter Sloop together with a Barge And the Whitehaven Cutter that carried over the Bishop of the Isle of Man also a Barge belonging to Greenock, had taken on Board £800 Value of Uncustomed Goods, in which Service were Employed Two Pilot Boats, & a Manx Wherry, and when they had got their Cargoes they Sailed to their respective places to dispose of it.

As to the Cutter, is out of Dispute they make a Trade of it, buying these Goods in different places, they may make out a Feasible Journal of their proceeding from Port to Port, in every one of which, they take in a little, the Merchants are ready to trust them without Money; knowing they run no risque from seizure And that they will pay for fear of a discovery.