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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14
Seizures of Contraband and Illicit Goods
Seizures of Contraband and Illicit Goods.
Of old a moiety only of the value of these became forfeit to the king, the other moiety accruing to whatever person or persons seized the articles; but frequent changes have left the Crown—at one time two-thirds, at another but one-tenth of the value. From the "king's net share" certain deductions were always payable for various charges of management, maintenance of cruisers, &c., and incidental expenses, so that in 1784 an account of this branch of revenue ran as follows:—
| Gross produce of Seizures | £204,458 | |
| Less Costs of Sale and Condemnation | £24,135 | |
| Less Net Share of the Officers | 74,584 | |
| 98,719 | ||
| "The King's net Share" | £105,739 | |
| Less Charges of Management | 69,659 | |
| Left with Collectors and Solicitor | 10,118 | |
| 79,777 | ||
| Amount paid to Exchequer | £25,962 |
In 1790, 1814, and 1823 modifications alike of the Royal Right and of the Customs Law reduced this Revenue to the vanishing point, so far as it was an appanage of the Crown; and it has now for 60 years been embodied only in the ordinary Customs accounts.