74 PRIVATE TRADE ON THE FALMOUTH PACKETS. 



When this state of things existed at head quarters, it was 

 not to be expected that strict views of duty would be found at 

 Falmouth. The captains were subjected to heavy extortions by 

 the agents, who moreover dealt in every kind of naval stores, 

 and compelled the captains to purchase such articles from them. 

 In return for the complaisance of the captains in this respect, 

 the agents relaxed discipline in any way which the captains 

 might desire. If, for instance, it had occurred to any commander 

 that by sailing with a few men short of his muster he could 

 make an increased profit by saving their victualling allowance, 

 the agent would be careful not to observe what was going on. 

 If the captain wished to stay on shore, and send his packet to 

 sea under charge of one of his ofiicers, the agent would accept 

 and forward to London a certificate that he was ill, without 

 asking any questions either as to the nature of the illness or the 

 qualifications of the person appointed to command the packet, 

 who was not infrequently a common seamen. If the captain 

 had received from some Bristol merchant a larger consignment 

 of goods to sell on commission than the packet ought to carry, 

 the agent would still certify that the vessel was in trim when she 

 left Falmouth Harbour, and had nothing on board which could 

 impede her sailing. In smuggling, which was a tolerably 

 common practice on the packets, the agent could be still more 

 useful ; and in fact the opportunities which he had of rendering 

 little services to the captains were so numerous, that it can easily 

 be believed that the post of agent at Falmouth was very lucrative 

 and much coveted. 



It was inevitable that investigation should come at last. In 

 the year 1785 a Mr. Bell was agent. Perhaps he extorted from 

 the captains more than they could pay, or, which is on the whole 

 more probable, a stricter view of duty was beginning to be held 

 at the General Post Office. In any case, enquiry was made into 

 Mr. Bell's proceedings, and before it was concluded, he shot 

 himself dead. 



This tragical event, coupled with the recommendations of a 

 Committee of the House of Commons, which was appointed 

 shortly afterwards, seems to have led to the establishment of 

 many reforms ; and in 1793 entirely new arrangements were 

 made at Falmouth. The agent was forbidden to hold shares in 



