Memorial, for George Smith, now residing in Aberdeen, and formerly of Broomhill, near Aberdeen, in Scotland..
Smith, George.
Irvine, Alexander,1754-1844.
[Edinburgh? : s.n.,
1796?]
In 1787 George Smith had entered into a 3-year government contract to collect taxes on post horses (i.e. horses kept at inns for hire to travellers or for use by mail carriers) for Scotland, paying a bond to the government for the contract. However, travellers found a way out of paying the tax and Smith lost a significant amount of money as a result. The memorial makes it clear that Smith was financially ruined by the contract, losing his property and being imprisoned. The accompanying printed letter is signed and dated by Smith and addressed to Alexander Irvine of Drum. it appears to be part of a campaign by Smith to get local MPs to support his case for compensation by the government.
Caption title.
ESTC
In 1787 George Smith had entered into a 3-year government contract to collect taxes on post horses (i.e. horses kept at inns for hire to travellers or for use by mail carriers) for Scotland, paying a bond to the government for the contract. However, travellers found a way out of paying the tax and Smith lost a significant amount of money as a result. The memorial makes it clear that Smith was financially ruined by the contract, losing his property and being imprisoned. The accompanying printed letter is signed and dated by Smith and addressed to Alexander Irvine of Drum. it appears to be part of a campaign by Smith to get local MPs to support his case for compensation by the government.
Smith, George
Horses
Taxation
Scotland Edinburgh.