Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-01-30

VaiHc W0Niu not hesitate 10 uphou VI ny resort 10
force, not. perhaps for the purpose of introducing
their goods ia the first instance, but to them
in the event Of their falling into the hands of the
venue officers
If doubts are entertained, whether a military
force is proper auxiliary to be employed by the Ex
ecutive Yin executing The revenue laws. beg leave
respectfully 10 observe that it has been the uniform
practice Of the Government to make use OF it, in the
enforcement Of he laws regulating our intercourse
with other nations. AMI more particularly during the
administration of Mr. Jefferson, when large part
q our naval as well as land force, was employed in
preventing and detecting violations of the embargo
laws: Aai. would moreover remark, that the
CONSTITUTIONS, in contemplating probably that the re
siar force, winch is the proper arm of the Federal
Government, m.ht at times be absent, or unequal
10 the object, au horzes the President to call out the
militia u The States Tor the purpose Of executing the
law-.
No smuggling. it is believed, has heretofore been
carried on, unless very recently, on the Niagara from
tier, to an extent that could sensbly affect the
enue. One instance is only recollected where it
was undertaken oA large scale and with an exclu-
eiye view to the profits Of the trade This happen
ed some three or four years ago, when large guam
ty of gonds put up in England for the express pur.
pose Of being surrepitiouslv introduced by the Nj
agara river seized by the Collector of Buffalo,
who had been previously appraised of their approach.
on beng landed on the American shore. On the
succeeding night, however. the owners embodied a
sufficient force to oyerpower that of the Collector,
aud of the snuds were retaken pu, into boats,
and carried back. and never again received
by the officer, of our government.
Such are the general features of the information
in possession of this Department. which induced
the precautionary measure of re-occupflng Fort Nj
agara. so Tar as that movement was tahueneed by a
IN, tba N ~ ,f t1,nr
/ But there were other considerations which had M
lnconsdcrable weight in recommending this measure
ami as 1t is moi entirely clear from the realng which
| have given tie resolution Of the House Of Repre-
senatlves. whether sn|lcitude for the interest o
the revenue. regard TO the otherwise satsfacto
ry distribution OF the troops, was the plnciI al mo-
tive to its introduction, l must ask the liberty Il
mention some Of them. as they were not alverted t,
il my annual report. which appears to hive gyer
rise tn tile resolution.
There is part of the frontier Of the Unite
States OF equal extent, where SO large portion 0
our own citizens, and OF the subjects of another
govern men, come in SO close proximity to eact
other, as on the Niagara. Occupying the opposit,
shores of nayigable and commercially important
river, the daily intercourse which takes place be
tween them, inevitably leads to frequent collisions
and quarrels, which the tardy process Of the law
cannot reach and correct before the Offenders ar,
out of its power. The British government nov
maintains, as 1t always has done, a respectable mil
ltary force that rver, and it is understood to b.
their intention to increase it, in the course of mex
season. 1t is therefore deemed highly expedcnt Il
have a counervans force our side, wthol
: which our neighbours would have, practically, tn
: whole dominion of the river, and our citizens b
subject to continued insult and degradation.
On the subject of the proper distribution OF on
III. ~
ry prevail, according to the varying interests D
those who entertain them Some are of opinio
that the troops should he mostly placed along on iii
sea-boart, where they would have little else TO d
than to preserve the military works and proiec
the police Of the respective Larbors which they oe
cupy. Others think that they should be pushed in
10 the western forest 10 guard our Indian traders
whilst others believe that il would conport bette
: with the peace and responsibility Of the country,
place portion OF them along our Canadian frontier
as connterpolse to similar tprse constantly mar
. timed by our proud and jraons neighbors
Besides these reasons already assigned for rcoc
cnpying Fort Niagara, the Department was nc
wholly uninIuenced by the reflection that that ancei
and venerable citadel is still one of the sironge!
military works in the United States-hat il. toaeti
er with its convenient barracks, are the propert
: otthe Government-that it occupies pass Of gre;
importance. both in commercial and military poiI
. of vew-that its situation is pleasant and healthfi
y and that it is directly opposite to IA strong Brl
! ish fort-and that it is the only post in the Unite
: States which affords to officers an opportupit
' OF observing the discipline maumuvres and polio
i of our great military prototype, the British army
N Respectfully submitted
ct p. 3. PORTER.
t. To the President of the United States.
:" The preceding report was predicted solely
- such evidence Of intended violations of the reyenl
: laws, had been communicated directly 10 this d
!. partment. | was not, however, at the time of pr
. pairing it, unapprsed of the existence Of proofs
: different character but entertained some doubt
II not only as to the expediency Of giving them in
: tail, but abiding to them at ALL for the present,
4,