Matthew Smith

Matthew Smith (born c. 1665; died before 1723?) was a 17th-century spy and the author of Memoirs of Secret Service, which was published in London in 1699, and is believed to be the first spy memoir in the English language. In 1703, he was made judge advocate of Jamaica.

Early life Smith's father, also named Matthew Smith, had been the Sheriff of Coventry in 1637, and Mayor of Coventry in 1648. trials made it impractical to conduct a thorough search for the hidden weapons at the time.

Smith's behavior, however, was seen to be erratic, loud, boastful, and silly by the gentlemen of the court, and his claims seemed too outlandish and exaggerated, which led Shrewsbury and his under-secretary, James Vernon, to underestimate the value of his intelligence. Smith responded with A Reply to an Unjust and Scandalous Libel, a more effective rebuttal.

Following King William's death, Smith wrote a furious Case and Petition to the House of Commons, effectively accusing Shrewsbury and Vernon—now politically vulnerable—of treason, while also alleging that the late king had bribed MPs. Realizing it was poorly timed, given the recent exposure of William Fuller's false claims, Smith hesitated but ultimately submitted his allegations to Speaker Robert Harley on March 28, 1702. Harley ignored them, and with Shrewsbury abroad and Vernon removed from office, the matter was quickly forgotten.

Judge advocate of Jamaica and later life Smith's fortunes changed suddenly in August 1703 when he was appointed judge-advocate of Jamaica by both sea and land, likely due to the influence of the earl of Peterborough, who had a nominal governorship of the island.

It is unclear whether Smith ever carried out his duties personally or through deputies. Little else is recorded about his later years, and he is believed to have died before 1723, as his mother's will made no mention of him.

A Matthew Smith from Coventry (c.1667–1731), who had lived in London, married multiple times, and served as a churchwarden at St. Michael's Church, was a different individual, as confirmed by his signature.