Folio 21-27. J West to Andrew Stone accompanying documents from the Duke of Newcastle...

Folio 21-27. J West to Andrew Stone accompanying documents from the Duke of Newcastle relating to smuggling on the coast of Sussex. Dated at the Treasury Chambers. Enclosing:

Folios 22 - 23. Sir Walter Parker of Ratton, JP for Sussex, to [the Duke of Newcastle] referencing the new Smuggling Act. Providing two affidavits, one from Customs Officers in East Bourn [Eastbourne] and the other from husbandsman John Henly, relating to smuggling in Sussex. Seal attached. Dated 20 September 1746.

Folios 24 - 25. Affidavit signed by several riding officers of the Customs at Eastbourne and East Dean [Sussex]; Tho [Thomas] Mortimer, Tho [Thomas] Hurst, Tho [Thomas] Smith, Joseph Simpson, and Tho [Thomas] Fletcher. Details of a confrontation with around 40 armed smugglers. The officers identified some of the individuals involved: John Brown of Lewes [Sussex], basket-maker; John French of Lewes; Frances [Francis] Bollard, alias Pollard, labourer, of Tarring [Neville, Sussex?]; Richard Bollard, alias Pollard of Tarring; Benjamin Bush of Tarring; Ashcraft of Bishopstone [Sussex], labourer; John Clear of Rodmall [Rodmell, Sussex], carpenter; Streake, alias Strait, alias Stephens. Witnessed by Walter Parker, Justice of the Peace in Sussex. 20 September 1746.

Folio 26. Affidavit of John Henly, of Eastbourne, stating that he saw smugglers unloading their brandy and tea along the Eastbourne seafront and recognised some of the men: Alexander Carr, of?Southover, [Lewes], Sussex, husbandman; Fra [Frances, Francis] Ballard of Piddinghoe, Sussex, labourer; Samuel Brown of Cliffe, Lewes, Sussex, basket-maker. Also witnessed clash with customs-men in South?Lanis, Eastbourne. Witnessed by Walter Parker, Justice of the Peace in Sussex. 20 September 1746.