The Virginia Gazette

Yesterday Evening, a little after seven, a Gentleman on Horseback followed by his Servant on another Horse, with a Portmanteau behind him, were stopped at the Turnpike near the Obelisk in St. George's Fields by two Men who had rode with them thirty Miles, called themselves Customhouse Officers, and insisted on searching the Portmanteau, declaring that they had Information of its containing smuggled Goods. The Gentleman refused to open it till he alighted at his Inn, where he would more readily satisfy them. They then forcibly cut it from behind the Servant, and were going to strike both Master and Man for endeavouring to prevent their Violence. They took the Portmanteau into the Turnpike House, and cut it open; but after a most minute Search, Nothing but the Gentleman's Clothes and Linen appeared to be there. The Number of Attendants, who were by this Time pretty numerous, gave a Huzza of Satisfaction; upon which the other Officer, who sat on his Horse without the House, clapped Spurs to his Sides and galloped off. The Gentleman's Servant pursued him, and at Newington came so near him that the Fellow jumped off his Horse and made his Escape through a House; upon which the Servant seized his Horse, and lodged it with a Constable. The other Man was taken before a Justice, to be dealt with according to Law; it being a capital Felony even for an Officer of the Customs to seize a Portmanteau on the Highway, or any other Convenience of the Kind, before the Person it belongs to alights.