128 
TRAVELS IN 
v.ere afterwards altered to sixpence per ton upon their re- 
gistered tonnage. 
9. The postage of letters was a small charge made on the 
delivery of letters at the post office, more with a view to pre- 
vent improper correspondence during the war, than to raise a 
revenue, which, indeed, amounted to a mere trifle. 
10. Seizures, fines, and penalties. The law respecting smug- 
gling is ver}^ rigid at the Cape of Good Hope. Not only the 
actual shipping or landing of contraband goods is punishable, 
but the attempt to do it, if proved, is equally liable ; and the 
penalty is confiscation of the goods, when found, together 
with a mulct amounting to three times their value ; or, if not 
found, on sufiicient'evidence being produced, the delinquent's 
liable to forfeit four times their value. Of all seizures and con- 
fiscations, and penalties for misdemeanors, the Fiscal receives 
one-third of the amount, the informer or prosecutor one-third, 
and the other third, which was formerly the share of the Go- 
vernor, was directed by Lord Macartney to be always paid 
into the Government Treasury in aid of the revenue. 
11. The licences granted for the retailing of wine, beer, and 
spirituous liquors, are farmed out in lots to the highest bidders ; 
and they produce a very considerable sura to Government, 
proportioned, however, to the strength of the garrison, the 
soldiers being their best customers. Sir James Craig, wishing 
to discourage, as much as possible, all monopolies, proposed 
to divide the retailing of wine among thirty-two persons, but fif- 
teen only were found to take them out ; and these the following 
