ABSTRACT
For the last two decades of the eighteenth century almost every officially compiled account of the trade of Great Britain and its empire bore the signature of Thomas Irving (1738?–1800).1 A careful, astute, efficient administrator, Irving was one of many Scots employed in the British civil service. (See figure 9.1.) Since his early years included experience in Great Britain’s North American colonies, aspects of his career offer considerable insight into a significant period of Anglo-American history. Among his many activities were an attempt at forestalling the American revolutionary movement from the vantage point of the customhouse in Boston and, later, at thwarting the emerging, post-war economic independence of the United States from a strategic post within the customhouse in London. His failure in the first enterprise fueled his ardor for the second, an effort in which he was indeed more successful.
