Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-07

founded on the belltf, when Is suPPo'So ~
uniform experience in similar cases, 'ha' me"
who are so far influenced by the love oil gam
and so lost 10 all sense Of what IS que 10 inc
laws of their couo,ry. as TO embark in this ,raf
fi,, would not hesitate 10 uphold II by resort
10 force: not, perhaps, for The purpose OF inlro'
ducinp their goods in the first instance, but 10
rescue them in the event Of their falling into
the hands of the revenue officers.
If doubts are entertained, whether military
force is proper auxiliary to be employed oy
9TH" Executive'in executing the revenue laws,
beg leave respectfully 10 observe that IL nas
been the uniiorm practice OF the Government,
20 make use OF il, in the enforcement oil The
laws regulating our intercourse with other ma
tons, and more particularly during the admi-
nislration OF MIR. Jefferson, when large part
OF our naval as well as land force, was employed
in preventing AID detecting violations oil the
embargo laws; and, | would moreover remark,
rba, the Constitution, in contemplation Prooa-
Div that the regular force, which Is the proper
arm of the Federal Government, might at times
be absent, or unequal to The object, u'norises
The president to call out the militia OF the States
for the purpose ofexecuting the laws.
No smuggling, it is believed, has heretofore
been carried on, unless very recently, on the Nj
aeara frontier, 10 an extent tina, could sensiaiy
afec, the revenue. One instance ouly is recoi-
lected where il was undertaken on large scale
and with an exclusive view to the profits Of the
trade. This happened some three or four years
ago, when a large quantity Of goods put up IN
England for the express pUrpose of being SER
ruptiliously introduced by the Niagara river,
were seized by the Collector OF Buffalo, who
had been previou sly apprisrdot their approach,
en- being landed on the American shore. On
the succeeding uigh:, ho"eser, the owners EN-,
bodied sufficient force to oyerpower that oil
tn Collector, and most OF he goods were re
taken, put into boats, and Carried back, and
we've never again received by the officers OF our
Government.
Such ATE the general features OF the infor-
nation in possession of this Department, wnich
induced the precautionary measure OF 'e-"c'u-
pying Fort Niagara, SO far as TIA, movement
wa, Influenced by view 10 the prorecuo' OF
he revenue
Blu, there were other considerations whic'
had no incon siderable weight in recommc nding
this measure and as it is not entirely clear, from
the reading which | have given 10 the resn!u-
tion Of the House Of Representatives, whether
q soiciiude for the interests Of the revenue, or
a regard to the otherwise satisfactory dis rbu
ton OF the troops. WAS he principal motive TO
its introduction, mus, ask the liberty TO men
ton some Of them, os they were not ldverted
to in my annual report, which appears 10 have
given rise 10 the resolution.
There is no part Of the frontier Of the Unit
ed States Of equal extent, where So large por-
zion Of our own citlzcus, and Of the subjects Of
another Government, CONS in so close proxi
nifty TO e,ch other, as on he Niagara. Occu-
pyins the opposite shores OF navigahle AMI
commercially important river, the daily in'er-
course which takes place between them, ine,i
;ably leads to freqrent collisions and quarrels,
which the .tardv process OF ;he laws cannot
reach aud correct before the off-uders are out
sf It's power The British government now
IN ain aims, as il always has done, respectable
military force on that river, and IL is underst God
TO be their lnteaon 10 increase II, in the cou, sc
OF mex season. Il Is Therefore deemed highly
Iexpedisnt To have a countervaiiing TO- t on our
side, viii out which our ne,ghbors would have,
practically tn waoIe dominion of the river,
and our cI,iz MS be subject TO continued insul,
and degradation.
On the subJec, Of the proper distribution OF
our Military Free, diversity Of opinions will
'ecrs'arily prevail, according 10 the varying
snterrsls OF those who entertain them. Som
ar ut opinion that the troop, should b most
Giy placed along our sea board where they would
have hide else 10 do than 10 pre- serve tae mill
larry works, and protect the police Of the re-
specrive harbors which they occupy Others
,Aink that they should be pushed into The west
fth forest to guard our Indian trades: whilst
others believe that il would compor, better
with the peace and respec liability Of the coun
try, to place portion of them along our Ca
hadian frontier, counterpoise to Il similar
Force constantly maintained by our proud ard
Jealous neighboss.
Besides these reasons already assigned TOO
Hseoccupying Fort Niagara, the Department
Twas not wholly uninAuenced by the reflection
tina, that ancient and venerable citadel is still
one of the strongest military works in the y
Sta:es-that il, together with ITS convene n
barracks, are the property Of the Government
hat it occupies a pass of great importance
both III commercial and military point OF
Eiew-:hat its situation is pleasant and health
f"l-and tina, it is directly opposite TO a strong
Briu,h fort-aud that it is the only post in the
I aited States which affoids our officers al
opportunity Of observing the discipline, ma
nGuvres aud police of our grea, military pro-
FO'ype, the British army.
Respectfully submitted.
Mn