As a reward for his literary or his financial services, or for both, he was appointed, "without the least application" of his own, Accountant to the Commissioners of the Glass Duty, and held this post till the duty was abolished in 1699.
From 1694 to the end of William's reign was the most prosperous and honourable period in Defoe's life.

His services to the Government did not absorb the whole of his restless energy; He still had time for private enterprise, and started a manufactory of bricks and pantiles at Tilbury, where, Mr.Lee says, judging from fragments recently dug up, he made good sound sonorous bricks, although according to another authority such a thing was impossible out of any material existing in the neighbourhood.

Anyhow, Defoe prospered, and set up a coach and a pleasure-boat.

Nor must we forget what is so much to his honour, that he set himself to pay his creditors in full, voluntarily disregarding the composition which they had accepted.

In 1705 he was able, to boast that he had reduced his debts in spite of many difficulties from 17,000L.