Although of a time period slightly earlier than the specific focus of this book, the following is representative of the “secrets” access list governing the distribution of interceptions by HM Post Office. During the period 1770–75 the Earl of Rochford was the secretary of state for the Southern Department; his undersecretary, Francis Willes, kept this list to control the circulation of documents. The list was established, and modified, by the king.
Information in this appendix is taken from Ellis, Post Office, 152–53, unless otherwise noted.
Hanoverian Box (German interceptions and Hanoverian dispatches, via the Hanoverian minister at St. James’s Palace):
Lord Rochford (secretary of state for the Southern Department)
Earl of Suffolk (secretary of state for the Northern Department)
“Secrets” (British interceptions and most-confidential dispatches and reports):
Lord Rochford
Earl of Suffolk
Lord North (in effect the prime minister as first lord of the Treasury) (Cook and Stevenson, British Historical Facts, 27)
Common Correspondence (ordinary dispatches and reports, passed to the same ministers and then to members of the “efficient” cabinet):
Lord Rochford
Earl of Suffolk
Lord North
Earl Bathurst (lord chancellor) (Cook and Stevenson, British Historical Facts, 27)
Earl Gower (lord president of the Council) (ibid.)
Earl of Dartmouth (secretary of state for the Colonial Department)
Earl of Sandwich (first lord of the Admiralty)