Adam Smith, Commissioner (part 17)

Next is Order #143, which is dated __ December 1784 (alas, the day is cut off) and is signed by Basil Cochrane (top signature), Adam Smith (middle), and James Edgar (bottom). This order deals with a local custom officer’s statutory reward or bounty for the confiscation of 30 kegs of smuggled beer: “We have received your Letter of the 27th of November last, inclosing a Return of Seizure by Mr. Robert Anderson Land Surveyor for 30 Kegs Spruce Beer — and if it is to be understood from what is stated in the Return that the Cellar in which the Goods were seized was in the Possession of Baillie William Inglis, then the Officer is entitled to a Moiety, but if the meaning does not amount to this, then he will be entitled only to a Third; — as to which doubt We direct you to report precisely to Us.” A customs officer, the land surveyor Robert Anderson, had confiscated 30 kegs of “spruce beer.” [1] The problem, however, is that the amount of the officer’s reward depends on whether the…

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