History of Dover

John Wicker’s, chief mate on board the “Vivid” mail packet, was brought up on a charge of smuggling two pounds of foreign manufactured tobacco liable to forfeiture and pleaded guilty. The following were the circumstances ----

William Clark, Tide Surveyor, in the employ of the Board of Customs and stationed at Dover examined; this morning about a quarter past one o’clock I was on duty the Mail Packet from Ostend lying at the Admiralty Pier. I saw the defendant who is mate of the vessel on board and suspecting that he had foreign articles upon his person I questioned him thereon when said he had not. I then told him I wished to search him but before I could do so he produced from under his waistcoat two pounds of foreign manufactured tobacco liable to forfeiture. The single value and duty is 20s. I did search defendant but found nothing more upon him. The Tide Surveyor said he was instructed by the customs authorities to press the charge against the defendant owing to the class of situation he held. This however was his first offence. In reply to Mr. Finnis the defendant said he had been mate on the “Vivid” more than a twelve month. Mr. Finnis; it is a good situation I suppose?

The Defendant; well sir it is bread certainly. It is not so good as it used to be by a long way. The Magistrate; at any rate you cannot be allowed to make it by smuggling. I do not think I shall be doing my duty in this case unless I make you pay double the value and duty and costs (£2-12-6d.) and hope this will be a lesson to you and that you will abstain from such practices in future. If you do not you will be much more severely punished. The Defendant; I hope you will make it lighter than that sir I cannot pay so much. I hope you will make it the single duty and costs.  The Magistrate; I shall not alter my mind. There is no excuse for a man in your position. If you do not pay the money you will be sent to prison for a month. The defendant then said he would pay the fine to the custom house officer if he would accompany him on board and the Tide Surveyor assenting to that course the parties left the court. (1860)