82
SMUGGLERS.
Some custom house officers searched Gs and Co., in St. Paul's Churchyard, for contraband silk goods, in vain; for which they would be liable to an action for damages, and were threatened with it; but fortunately one of them found an old Bandana handkerchief in a dirty-clothes bag, which he could swear to as foreign manufacture. However, the assembled domestics and warehousemen would all have sworn equally positive the handkerchief belonged to neither of them, or their master.
N.B. When premises are entered for a search, the family should divide, and accompany each officer. The same as to personal search, a friend of the accused should be present.
As publicans are liable to the penalties for game, or contraband goods found on their premises, though these should belong to other people, they should be careful for whom they take charge of goods, as they are sometimes left for the purpose of laying information. Tom Minter, the Stretton's Ccffee House, Newgate market, was so served—but got clear over it, in the Court of Exchequer!! Stopp, of the Queen's head, St. John's Street, had his house searched for silk
