Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-03-14
Treasury Department:

Sir-The peace which has been
concluded between the u. States q
G.. Britain will Immediately revive
our commerce and navigation-and
arrangements should be speedily
made at the custom houses to facili-
tate the business of the merchants Il
to guard against every species OF
fraud upon the revenue. For the
accomplishment Of both objects, you
may rely upon the co operation of
this department and at it is designed
to exact from every public officer
the strictest official responsibility, |
do not hesitate to premise, with the
appreciation ofthe President, that the
officers of the customs shall be sup
piled with all the means which are
requisite for an efficient perform
ance Of their important duties.
The laws which existed before the
war for The imposition and collection
Of duties on merchandise imported,
| remain in force, with such additions
and alterations only, as have from
time to time been made known to
you. The duties and powers of the
officers Of the customs are Sufficiently
described and defined in those laws.
And it is only necessary, at this pc
Rod, to recommend TO your attention
| some Of the leading objects OF the
trust.
4. A competentnumSer OF yigilant
intelligent and discreet inspectors
must be employed. with view to the
service of the night, as well as day
And such stations should he as
signed to some ofthem as will etiec
tually secure all the avenues for an
illicit trade.
Q. Whesever cutter and barge
are necessary. the necessity must be
represented, with an estimate Of the
probable expenee. Ills intended that
the cutters and barges throughout
the United States shall be uniform
in their construction & equipment
and, in that respect, the advice OF
the navy department will be Obtain
ed. The officers and men must be
recommended for their vigilance
activity, skill and good conduct.
8. The commanders ofcuiters aad
barges and the inspectors at fixed
stations, should be acquired to make
reports to the collector at reasonable
periods-and amy matter OF impor-
lance contained in such reports
should be promptly communicated 10
this department. :,
4. The strictest vigilance should
be required from all officers of the
customs visiting vessels arriving on
the coast, or in waters OF the Cni'ea
States. The reports required by
law, ia such cases must be punctualiy
made. :.
5. The entries Of mercPanaize
should be admitted, with every pos
sible circumspection in the exam'na
ton of the invoices and other docu'
ments and every detection OF an
entry upon afiotitious inHoiee's4e"ld
be prosecuted with the utmost igor
Of the law. If there be doaol OF
the good faith of the TRANSACTIONS 'ae
power of inspection and a2pFaishiapt
of the goods, with view 10 FORM al
estimate Of the duties, snonid 10
freely executed.
6. The Superintendent Of the
unlading ofcargoss must 30 strictly city,
enforced; and great attention Will
be necessary, to prevent any advan-
tage being taken Of the inspectors
during the night.
:. Every act ofneglisence. every |
wilful omission, as well as every /
sinister act violating the law, BY
owners, consigners, factors. masters,
or mariners, must be prosecuted with
all the rigor. Of the law.
s. Smuggling, ia every form must