discoveries might be made in this tragical occurrence. But refusing to give satisfactory answers to proper questions which were put to him, and idly and obstinately denying all that was sworn against him, he was committed to Horsham gaol, on suspicion of being concerned in the murder of Daniel Chater.
The smugglers had reigned a long time uncontrolled ; the officers of the Customs were too few to encounter them. They rode in troops to the sea-side to fetch their goods, and carried them off in triumph. by daylight ; so audacious did they grow at last that they were not afraid of regular troops, that were sent into the country to keep them in awe. If anyone of them happened to be taken, and the proof ever so clear against him, no magistrate in the county durst commit him to gaol ; if he did, he was not sure that his house or barns would not be set on fire, or some other terrible mischief done to him ; as for anyone who informed against them, or who in any way interfered with their unlawful occupation, a certain and terrible fate awaited him : the terrible menaces which they uttered against any person who should presume to interrupt them in their contraband trade so terrified the people everywhere, that scarce anybody dared to look at them as they passed through the towns and villages in open daylight. And the Custom-house officers were so intimidated that scarce any of them had courage enough to go upon -
