'Evasion of any constraint placed upon the free movement of merchandise thereby avoiding duties or taxes of any sort.' This definition of 'smuggling' opened the recent talk (with the promise of interesting digressions) delivered by Tony Hawes in the Library Hall, Haverfordwest, recently.
This was the first in the programme of events for 2007 organised by The Friends of the National Park. Lionel Griffiths, the chairman, welcomed Friends and members of the public most warmly before introducing the guest speaker for the evening. Tony Hawes began by acknowledging his references and resources, namely, the records of HM Customs, the Admiralty and, amidst laughter, those of Haverfordwest Gaol! He quickly got down to the serious business of spilling the beans on the once highly lucrative business of smuggling during the 17th and 18th Centuries in West Wales, concentrating on the area now known as Pembrokeshire National Park. A number of different trades were involved in this shady business; seafarers on the ships which carried the goods, local agents who undertook the land- based reception and transportation, the go-betweens and locally based labour who could clear contraband off a beach from a 100-tonne ship in less than an hour.
The ships were often French owned, sometimes Irish, and the agents were mostly Cornishmen. Goods were landed in Pembrokeshire from bases on Lundy and the Isle of Man, but moved speedily onto Cornwall and other parts of the country.
One wonders if this international conspiracy absolved local Pembrokeshire folk of any feelings of guilt regarding their involvement in this illegal trade. In fact, it is doubtful if that thought ever crossed their minds, as in those times few outside royal circles considered the avoidance of duty as wrong.
The entire undertaking would be set up on the same basis as business today - orders for goods were taken, suppliers were identified, dates agreed, deliveries arranged, extra labour hired, payments made, everyone involved was content. Except, of course, the revenue men, as it was, of course, all highly illegal. The taxes and duties not being paid were set by the Royal House and government of the day to benefit the Treasury and often introduced to fund the latest war.
Goods most likely to carry the heaviest duties at different times were tea, tobacco, salt, wines, snuff, tobacco, spirits and suprisingly, coal. Levels of taxation changed, as happens today, according to planned government spending.
However, by the second half of the 19th Century, following various tariff reforms, the movement towards free trade and stricter enforcement, the heyday of smuggling was over.
The listeners responded with warm applause to a talk on a fascinating and little explored subject. Tony Hawes had prepared his material and studied his subject with due diligence, but pressure of time meant the audience had only a taster of a seriously juicy slice of local history. Owing to time pressure, many of his anecdotes had to be kept back for another day. The obvious interest shown by the attentive audience suggested a publication on this topic would be most welcome. How about it Mr. Hawes?
Following an interesting question and answer session and formal thanks, the chairman pointed out to visitors the benefits of joining the Friends. Talks, such as the one just heard, were only the tip of an iceberg of activity available to members of the organisation. The Friends is a voluntary organisation and registered charity, whose aim is to help protect, conserve and enhance the park for all to enjoy. Membership costs £10 p.a., and full details can be found on the website http://www.fpnp.org.uk">www.fpnp.org.uk or pick up a leaflet at the nearest Tourist Information Centre.