American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-08-20
For TIE WATcHMAN.

States by the Collector of our Port, makes then,
springs to catch woodcocks, instead Of being framed
TO PunaSh fraud, when detected, and for the protec
ton OF the revenue. allude the late seizure Of
tc0 ptneapples, presented TO respectable fellow
citizen, DR.. Brnckle, the Health Officer, by the
captain Of the vessel that recently came into our port
from Havana and which arrival is most cmarka-
Bile occurrence-tor arrivals, like black swans, are
rare things at the present day; though when Col.
M'I.ane took charge of the Collectorshp thirty
one vessels, it Is believed, belonged to Whining.
ton.
When DR.. Brinckle came ON shore, he went d.
rectly to the Custom House with The two pineappes
IN his handkerchief, to pay the duty-which, when
he offered to do, the Collector himself most courts.
oaSty seized them, handkerchief and all, forfeit
ed TO the United States but he told the Dr. that If
the cesSeL entered, the pneappes and handkerchief
|sh0uM be returned. The vessel did enter---and
when the DR.. applied to the Collector for the pine
lappes and handkerchief, he denied that he had ever
said and insisted that the articles forfeited
1t is understood that the District Attorney whose
duty 1t is, no doubt 10 punish fraud but most GER
ainiy not to strain the laws subserve oppression.
or stretch them, gins TO catch woodcocksal first,
bteU hot tor prosecutions but next day, did, what
he ought certainly to have done instantly advise
that none should be brought: for every man will
say that DR. Brincke had neither practised, nor at
tempted to practise fraud. But not so the Collec-
tor. He stuck to the thing, and cherished it as the
APPLE Of has eye-for it might produce forfeiture;
and il so, the penalty would be nice, snug thing.
However, after fortnight's delay it is understood
the Treasury directed that no prosecution should
be eDtered-and the DIR. had the plneapples and
handkerchief returned to him.
BY such high handed al d yrannical stretches and
assumptions OF power, delegated to him, most
tainly not for such vexations purposes, as oppres-
sve and injurious as they are hateful and conempti
bic, the Collector has rendered himself deestable
TO his fellow citizens, and has caused the Laws of
the United States TO be equally odous and hateful
in the eyes of the people.
Near two years ago, he ordered prosecution
Iagalnst one oil our merchants, For landing at New
Castles alter long sea voyage, to see his family
and bringing lew oranges, though the merchant
immediately informed the Deputy Collector and Of
Tered to pay the duty but the vessel going to PhiIa
delpha, he afterwards entered them there aud paid
the duty, General Steele being satisfied that nothing
Improper was intended. Our Collector wanted him
to prosecute for a fne but finding that he would
not, he brought suit hele-and the District Auor-
ney has said, that 1t was done to make example
OF the merchant"-that is, the laws were TO be
stretched to make them springs to Catch woodcocks,
10 crafty the avaricousness aud nalignity of the
Collector.
The Brig Mermaid owned at that time by Sim.
mons & Starr, was seized for bringing in slaves
drawn, though it is believed the President only had
this power. But they were not to be made exam
Piles of; and thus the Collector dspenses with laws
at HIS sole aciH and pteasure!! A pretty state Of
things indeed, in government of The people, ard
for the benefit and welfare of the people But aoW
these said people sit still and ts little commerce
zoe hare left, ENTIRELY ANNIHILATED By such out
Irageous STRETCHES Of authority? -!
The Collector boasts of his Revolutionary SER
viceS, as stated n Gen. Wilkinson's History: But
Wilkinson said that Col. .N'Lane furnished him
Doith the account himseL f-when questioned by Ma
or Jaquett and Major Bennett, who both have pub
icly declared that Col M Lane Was not at the bat
tie Of Long Island. If so, his services consisted,
not Of fighting, but of BRAwLINe.
He that fights and runs away,
May live to fight another day
But he that neer the battle saw,
VIII boast and chatter like daw--
Will vaunt he himself host,
And many red coat made ghost.
For many years we have been ridden with sharp
Bit by this Collector but is it not high time he as
endorsed? Surely some one, properly qualified.
ought to represent his TYRANNICAL CON
DUCT TO the President. WILMINGroNIAN.
D,Its