Nelson & His World

To what extent was 'french brandy' a concern for customs and excise during this period?
Was William Wordsworth a concern he and other poets could of been sympathetic to the french cause of even 'spies'?

David

David
The enormous expansion of the British Empire in the 18th century and the frequency of the associated wars converted Britain into a huge fiscal-military state (the two sides of this phrase being mutually dependent). By the Napoleonic Wars, government expenditure and its tax collecting system had made Britain one of the most heavily taxed countries in the world.
In the French Wars it is pretty clear what the money was spent on. Where did it come from?
In 1791-5, the breakdown of British government income was - Land Tax 12%; Customs 23%; and Excise 50%;
Pitt’s introduction of Income Tax altered the balance so that by 1811-15, the breakdown had became Land Tax 12%; Customs 20%; and Excise 40%; Income Tax 20%.
It is estimated that total government income 1793-1815 was £542m, of which the element of Excise and Customs duties levied on spirits, wine and tobacco raised £84m and on sugar and tea £74m (ie a total of £158m)
(I should say that this dominance of Customs/Import Duties was a feature of all governments at this time – indeed in less wealthy countries than Britain it was even more significant - hence the importance of naval blockades which strangled this source of income.)
With Excise and Customs duties being so vital to British government expenditure, the threat posed by smuggling and evasion is clear.
Brian

Thanks Brian for your extensive reply; and thoughts on the lakeland poets in general during that period?

David.

Brian, your post is so interesting - this is the first time I understood the rationale behind those import duties. Thank you for explaining to this American the importance of those taxes that led to the Boston Tea Party!

I can smell the coffee from here Jesse!

David

Left wing scribblers in Cumberland David? I can only air prejudices here!
Plenty of people were thrilled at the advent of the French revolution thinking the selfish Bourbon autocracy would somehow by replaced by an accountable constitutional government on British lines. They soon changed their minds after the killing of the royal family, the September massacres and the turn to war to spread their doctrines. The government remained worried about revolutionary subversion – but in the lower reaches of society and the Irish rather than in the activities of a few harmless Lakeland poets zonked on opium and daffodils!
Wordsworth a spy? I doubt it: French interest in Cumberland sheep was probably pretty limited. And anyway, WW turned out alright in the end, his support earning a well paid sinecure from the Tory Government Postmaster for Cumberland if I remember rightly.
Brian

Thanks Jesse. Always ready to pontificate, though rarely infallibly.
Brian

Think your right there Brian, seems they were all paranoid, De Quincey wrote about Malays walking around the lakes we large amounts of It, (Kendal black drop).

David

Wordsworth received a 'substantial' cheque from the admiralty for information they received.
It remains unknown exactly what he provided.

David

Interesting David. Any idea of the date of the Admiralty cheque?
Brian

Hello Brian,
About 1800, Williams occupation would of offered 'perfect' cover.
Its speculation of course, but there must of been a reason for the payment.


David

William Wordsworth was quiet well travelled in Europe, which was very unusual for that time.
In fact forty years before the classical 'grand tour' era.


David

At some point Wordsworth must of been approached by the admiralty to gather intelligence.
Its hard to say when, but the naval Mudge family were very well acquainted with his part of the the world.
And their connections were with the powerful Pitt family.
Things haven't changed much have they, and as the saying goes 'the plot thickens'

David