https://doi.org/10.31261/WSN.2014.14.02.03
Based on a query conducted in the Lithuania National Historical Archive in Vilnius (materials of the Treasury Committee of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania), the author analyzes the methods and results of a customs control on the Prussia — Courland border in 1769, something not described in historiography thus far. The control in question is the first known instance of such undertaking by the customs control of the GDL. The creation of the customs control has been initiated by the Treasury Committee of the
Duchy — a special organ overseeing the economical development of the country. The Committee’s competence included the general administration of the customs organs and their coordination in order to contribute towards the increase in the country’s income in the most effective manner possible. The direct control has been conducted by the commissioner of the GDL Treasury Committee, the
chamberlain of the Upytė district — Jerzy Leniarski, according to special instructions dated January 11th, 1769. Lenarski and his military unit were to visit all customs posts and chambers in the GDL Prussia — Courland customs zone and remit his propositions on their location, with a detailed description of the propriety of their location and territorial scope. During his visitation, Leniarski observed many examples of law abuse and breach of work discipline by the treasury officials, the most widespread of which were drunkenness, using public funds for private purposes, disorder in customs books, breaching the officials’ jurisdiction during customs controls, and others.
Jerzy Leniarski conducted an optimization of the location of customs offices, drew up a detailed characteristic of customs posts and chambers, oberguards and guards, presenting the distances between posts and clearly indicating the main public roads, as well as smuggling trails. Based on detailed descriptions, maps were drawn up, indicating the location of customs posts, settlements, inns, mills, dams, and roads (regular and smuggling ones).
Lenarski also devised a special instruction, in which he described in detail the work rules for customs posts, the responsibilities of the officials, the course of customs control, and the form of and basis for charging customs fees.
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Vol. 7 No. 12 (2014)
Published: 2018-01-16
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