[Appendix B(71) 1792 Report of Commissioners of Inquiry]

APPENDIX (B.) N° 71.

The EXAMINATION of Mr. DANIEL GILL, Riding Officer at the Port of Ramsay the Isle of Man, taken at Douglas the 12th of October 1791.

THIS Examinant saith, That he is Riding Officer at the Port of Ramsay, and has been since 1773.. He was appointed by a constitution of the Treasury, dated in that year, and had a deputation from the Commissioners of the Customs. He took the oaths of office, an gave bond and security. He received printed instructions for his conduct with his deputation.

He has forty pounds a year as Riding Officer, and takes no fees or gratuities. He always keeps a horse.

His station is from Ramsay to Laxey, which is nine miles, and from Ramsay to Kirk Michael which is eight miles He generally rides about six or seven times a month, and these rides are in the day time. He looks upon the coast, to discover if any goods are exported or imported, or to be exported or imported, contrary to law.

He endeavours to get information as to any illicit practices, and makes seizures whenever he can. He has not, as appears by his journal, made any seizure since the 1st. of January 1789, nor can he recollect when he made the last. He does not recollect his having given any Commanders of Admiralty or Revenue cruisers, any intelligence of vessels hovering or being on the coast, or of any kind respecting illegal proceedings. He has not since the 1st of January 1789, given any of the officers of the Customs in the Isle of Man, any information of this kind, nor can he remember at present any instance of his having so done.

Brandy and gin are, he apprehends, now the principal articles respecting which smuggling is carried on.

DANIEL GILL

Jn^o Spranger.
W^m Osgoode.
Will^m Roe.
David Reid.