Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-12-20

3
ifr;,lent which NAV occur, will remain as here
I gore and az II other cases with the treasu-
As the object Of those two regulations
will be TO make the bond a sathrlent and
conn,ete security, they win havesa .enden-
~ to relieve, in a considerable degree, the
{ cs.st;nq trade from the Inconvenience re-
s,,lting from dctentions. The suflciency OF
the bond will in many doubtful cases re-
move the necessity of OBTAINING vessels, or
what amounts to the same, OF informing
the owners that unless they reduce the
amount Of their cargoes they Will be de-
tanned.
I would also submit the propriety OF plac-
i,,9 ,,nd der the control of the President, that
power OF detention vested in the Collectors.
by the act ofthe 25th April lac. That sub
iect has been a constant source OF complaint
and difficulty. It has been the uniform prac-
{ tice from the establishment Of the govern
lnent,of the u. S..to give positive instruc-
tons to the coNectorsrespe ctirS the eyecu-
ton ofthe laws, ane, which they were bound
to obey, unless q different construction
should be established by a legal decisicn.--
This indeed was essentially necessary in or
der to secure an uniform constructors and
execution Of TIE laws. But the provision
nov alluded to makes the detention to resi-
on the opinion OF each collector, and this
must necessarily produce a great diversity
in the mannerin which the power should be.
sexeeuteel. All has been done that could be
done to obviatc that evil and the President
being authorised 10 decide en- the detentioss
when made, the opportunity was taken 10
inform the Collectors Of what in his onilaionl
should be a proper cause Of detention
This, however, could be given oily as opi-
mon, and Operate. as a recommendation, and
not as an order. Nor does It appear practi-
cable to establish uniformity, and 10 prevent
partially, aud either !axity or 700 great Sc
verify in practice, unless thc. powero OF pre-
scrihing general rules in that respect by
which the col,ectors will be baund to abide,
be vested in The President,
ara aware that there is another mode OF
evasion by regul4r coa.tins vessels which
VIII not be prevented by either of the-rrc-
ceding proviaions. Either whist in port, or
on their way down Our rivers and bay3,s,
coasting vessels may receive articles net en-
tered on their manifest, which they pat ga
board other vessels lying oil the COAST &c.
that purpose.
But il is not perceived that any legal pro-
vision can prevent that iniraction, nor hat
any other remedy can be found than the II
glance Of the officers. Another general re-
gulstion VIZ however BE suggested, perhaps
usetu, as permanent measurs, but which
would at all events, under existing ,c;rcu1n-
stances, give additional security for tie oh
servance OF the laws and afford some relief
to our own seamcn; to wiz prohibition to
enploY, any aliens either as masters or part
Of the crew OF any coa:ring vessel.
It is still more d;acult to guard against
violations byvesse's departing without Clear
anc- IN open defiance of the laws. The fol. 4
lowing provisions on mature consideration
appcas. the most efficient that can be devised
against iih.ar&ctlons which it is the more re
cessary to repress as they may be daily ex-
peeted to increase and threaten to PROSTATE
the law and government itseif.
1ss. To forbid expressly under pain Of /
forfeiture (she penalty now being only i'm
plied) tie laeiing Of any vessel without the
permission Of the collector and without the |
bond for a coasing voyage being previously
given; authorizing the collectors to refuse
permission, unless the object be that Of
lawful coasting Cd fishing voyage. The
great number Of vessels now laden and in a.
state Of readiness TO depart, shews the ne
cessity OF this provision. II there be cases,
in which the indulgence of converting yes
sells into warehouses ought to be granted, |