1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

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stock, he receives all the permits by which the Dealer has had in Spirits, since the last survey, notes down the total quantity of Proof Spirits they denote, under the proper distinctions, to which is added the amount of Proof Spirits, of each kind, which formed the balance of the last stock. The quantity of Spirits, whether Brandy, Rum, &c. contained in the various casks, and their different strengths, is then ascertained ; and, together with the amount of what has been sent out (of which the officer has a previous account from the vouch- ers, or request notes, left at the Permit Office by the Dealer for all the permits he has had occasion to draw, since the last time of taking stock, and which must be so left, before he can obtain any of such permits), reduced, so as to exhibit the total quantum of Proof Spirits, of each description. Should this, on being deducted from the total, formed by the last balance, and what has been had into stock since added together, show any excess, (6 Geo. 4, c. 80, sec. 109,) ' Such excess shall be deemed and taken to be spirits illegally received, and a quantity of spirits of the like kind shall and may be seized out of any part of the stock of such Wholesale Dealer,* by any Officer or Officers of Excise ; and the Wholesale Dealer in whose stock, custody, or possession, such excess shall be found, shall forfeit and lose the sum of twenty shillings

* This Act also includes Rectifiers and Compounders. E 2