Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-08

Exscutse IN executing the revenue laws, I beg
leave respectfully TO observe, that il has been the
uniform practice OF The Government 10 maize rse
OF It, in the enforcement Of the laws regulating
our intercourse with other nations, and more par
dcuiarly during the administration of Mr.. Jeffer-
son, wnen large part OF our naval az we'll land
force, was employed in preventing and detecting
violations OF the embargo laws And would more.
over remark, that the Constitution, in contempla-
ton probably that the regular force, which 10 the
proper arm Of the Federal Government, might at
all times be absent, or unequal to the object, au
horzes the PRESIDENT to call out the militia Of the
States Tor the purpose ofoxecutisg the laws.
No srnugglinaait is believed, has heretofore
been carried on Shisss very recently, on the Nj
ssara frontier, to an extent that could sensbly az
lee! the revenue. instance only is recollect-
cd where IL was undU(aken on a large scale, and
with an exclusive view to the profits Of the trade
his happened some three or four years ago, when
large quantity Of goods put up in England for the
express purpose of being surrepttiously introduce
cd oy the Niagara river, were seized by the Col
ector, oil Buffalo. who had been previously appris-
cd oi ,heir approach on being landed the Amer
lean shore. On We succeeding night, however.
the owners ernbndied sufficient force 10 everpow-
or fhat OF the Collector. and ofthe goods were
re'aken' put into boats and carried back and were
never again received by the officers OF our Co
verninent.
tion IN possession OF the Department, which in
duced the precautionablc measure of rc-occupyinp
ort Niagara, 30 far as that movement was influ-
ehSeo by view TO the protection of the revenue
ou' mere were other considerations which had
no uncomfortable weight in recommending this
measure, and as il is not entirely clear, from the
reaang which have given TO the resolution of the
Rouse OF Representatives., whether sol;ci,ude
~, .e INTERESTS oil The revenue, OF regard to the
oher"ise satisfactory distribution of the troops
was the principal motive to its introduction must
ask the liberty tomcntion some of them, as they
were NOT adverted 10 in my annual report, which
| appears TO have given rise to the resolution.
There is no pastsof tie frontier of The limited
States OF equal extent, where SO large norton
ol our own citizens, and Of the subjects of anotb-
government come in so close proximity to each
o!her as on the Niagara. Occupying the opposite
shores OF anaviyaole and commercially important
ii'eF, the DAILY intercourse which takes place be-
tween them, inevitably leads 10 frequent collis-
ions and quarrcls, which the tardy process of the
laws cannot reach and before the offenders
are out OF Its power. The British Government
now maintains, as 1t always has done, respe eta
PIE military force on that river, and it is
70 oe 'heir intention to increase it, in the course Of
next season. Ii is therefore deemed bighIv ex
Peuient to have countervaiiing force on our side
without which our neighbors would have. practi-
caiiy, the whole dominion U. the river and our cit
'zcns be subject to conioued insult and degrade.
ton.
On the subject ofthe proper distribution of our
i"'ary iorce, diversity ofoPinions will necessa.
riy prevail, according TO the VARYING interest of
| those who entertain them. Some are of opinion
| mat the troops should be mostly placed along our
sea-board, where they would have little else 10 do
than TO prevent the military works, and protect the
ponce OF the respective harbours which they oe-
cupy. Others think that they should be pushed
into the western forest guard our Indian trades:
whist others believe that il would comport better
WIN the peace and respectabiIity of the country,
10 place. portion OF them along Canadian from
uer, as counterpoise 10 similar force constant
~ maintained by our proud and jealous ncighbors.
besiues these reasons already assigned for re-
ocsupying Fort Niagara, the department was not
wholly unnf1uenced by the reflection that that an
cieh' anu venerable citadel is still of the strong
est military works in the United States-that il to-
gether with its convenient barracks are the prop-
erty OF the Government-that il occupies pass of
great Importance, both in commercial and militia
ry point otview-that its situation is pleasant and
heathul-and that il is directly opposite To strong
Dritisn lort-ahd that it is the only post in the
United States which affords to our officers an ou
portunity OF observing tie discipline maneuvres
ana ponce OF our great military prototype the Br-
tish Army.
Respectfully submitted,
p. B. PORTER.
| To The President ofNe United States.
me preceding report predica,ed SOLELY on
euch evidence oiintended violations Of the revenue
ia"' as had been communicated directly to this
department. L was not, however, at the time Of
preparing IL unaPprised of the existence of proofs
OF a diiierents character; but l entertained some
doubts, not only as 10 the expediency of giving
ueih IN detai', but aliuding TO them at ALL for the
present, IN communication from the executive
10 Congress In compliance, however, with the
suggestions which you have been pleased to make
to me on this point, now add for the information
oil the House OF Representatives. that there is pos
tive and drectevidsncs. in possession of the Trea
sury department, that projects have been formed,
for detrauding The revenue upon a large scale, a.
long the Canadian frontier, and that some of them
are, probably, by t.,is time, in train OF execution;
but that il is hoped and believed that they will be
frustrated by the cautioned vigilance ofthe Gus.
tom House officers, aided by a competent force
Respectfully submitted,
u. B. PORTER
December goth, 1928
10 the President ofthe United States.