"I gave my utmost assistance to Mr. Coppard, the Collector in the affair, and conducted it as well as I could, but in the present situation, and the menaces and insults I have receiv'd, I shall decline acting as Solicitor in any proceedings against the Smugglers."
Mr. Collier in due course received a reply to his letter of decision expressing much regret and thanks for his past services. Mr. Collier, though retiring from prosecutions, fulfilled his promise of rendering what assistance he could, and I gather from the Customs Correspondence, that he did good service in the course of the suppression of the " Hawkhurst Gang " a few years later - Editor.
About this date (1744) the Editor states I should gather from the correspondence that Colonel Pelham was then staying at Hastings, where he had a house, I think, from allusions, that Mr. Collier and the other principal inhabitants had formed a club which used to meet at the Swan" (alluding to the Old Swan Hotel, High Street, now pulled down).
1745 In this year the correspondence reveals Mr. Collier using his influence on the side of leniency towards some Hastings Smugglers. They were saved from transportation by entering the Naval Service, there being a great demand for men at this time (" Poachers make good gamekeepers." Therefore Smugglers would make good fighting sailors).
1747 Mr. Collier lost his last surviving son during this year, James Collier, who was a Barrister of the Temple, an old scholar of Westminster School, and Mayor of Hastings, 1745. He died at his Chambers in the Temple on May 30th, aged 27 years, and was buried in the north Cloister of Westminster Abbey. (The Editor states that the loss of his last surviving son must have been a great blow to Mr. Collier, and he appears to have fallen into a condition of despondency.)
4th August, 1747- (Mr. Collier is found reporting to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue on the Infamous Hawkhurst gang of Smugglers, and the steps taken by the inhabitants of Goudhurst, Cranbrook and Ticehurst, to protect their districts from, and to effect the capture of the gang). [The Chapter on Smuggling and Smugglers contains allusions to this notorious gang which I believe included Hastings men. Author.]
30th January, 1749- The Right Honble James Pelham and Andrew Stone, Esqre - M.P.s for Hastings presented a Fire Engine to the Corporation. This stood for some years under the Town Hall, High Street.
8th February, 1749. Severe shock of earthquake at Hastings, felt more in London. (This is mentioned in Horace Walpole's letters, 25th February, 1749-50.)
11th February, 1749. Speaking of Colonel Murray. " He had a reputation for Gallantry. He was probably also inclined to be extravagant, and he had a fiery temper ; but I should not gather from the correspondence that he had any other serious fault. His -
