The Exeter Flying Post, of 11th December 1800, published as a caution to the public the following account:
"The public should be aware of a set of swindlers who have infested this city and neighbourhood; they pretend to be dealers in smuggled spirituous liquors, and generally carry one or two kegs with them, which they sell at a very low rate, for ready money.
"The keg is broached in the purchaser's presence, and being found very good, is taken and immediately paid for.. After they are gone the purchaser finds he has bought a keg of water; and that by means of a false head to the barrel, or such other contrivance, a small quantity of spirits has been so placed as effectively deceive the purchaser, who is thereby cheated of two or three guineas."
What could be more disappointing?, - and with Christmas coming! You thought your sample of bootleg brandy very good' and at that price!, but, alas!, you have been cheated. Perhaps this will teach you not to buy hole-in-a-corner spirituous liquors!
One gets the impression that none of the tippling citizens of Exeter had qualms about cheating the taxman. Might not this 'caution' have been a cunning ploy, a rumour spread by the excisemen?
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