Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-22
situated and duties coffee spices some other products ~
ied, and these 'Nso'

ed with this branch or service, 10 he situated and
constructed as to be conveniently guarded and
dcred inaccessible except by permission of officers m
charge. This being done the warehouse system may
be extended to all goods entered for drawback aad
the right otdebcnture continued long they remain
in store There can be no doubt that moderate
charge for storage would remunerate the Govern
men for the expenditure, while the revenue would be
rendered more secure and the interests of navigation
essentially promoted.
The intercourse between the United Suites and adj
acen ioreTn territories requires special regu-
lotion, well for the convenience of the officers Of
the customs OF travellers and also for the better
curtv of the revenue. Persons transienty comno
into the United States on business, and reurnlnu ire
obliged to pay duty for the horses and vehicles en-
poyed without benefit of drawback. Ferry boats,
having foreign goods on board are required by law 10
enter and pay fees upon every trip across boundary
water II Is also desirable that United States, ves
sells, of whatever burden, laden with foreign poods
passing on those waters, should be subject 10 the
same regulations that imposed on coastinu
vessels passing from district another not in
an adjoining State IL may, however, be doubted
whether any regulation short of total probi; ion of
the importation Of goods, not the growth or produce
of the Territories contiguous to the United States
and OF their transportation upon the boundary waters
in vessels Of the United States, without accompany
ing evidence OF the duties having been paid Will cffec
tuaily prevent Illicit mportations from those coun
tries.
The laws in relation to the coastinr trade do not
attordt the necessary for preventing the unlaw-
tn introduction of foreign goods through that chan
mel. The United States divided into three preat
districts: st From their eastern limits to the south
ern limits of Georgia. Cd. From the southern linn,
Is of Georgia to the Pcrlido River. 3D. From tho
Perdido River to the western limits of the u States
Masters of vessels licensed for carryinr on The cons
ing trade, may now, with given amount of CARGO
pass from one port to another within Gil her of these
DISTRICTS or to port in adjoining State without
delivering manifest obtaining a permit prevjous
to their departure, and without akng any report or
entering their vessel at the port of destinations nor
81, J.
OF the master IN certain cases, of duties having been
paid on foreign goods transported from one port to
another, excerpt by defective provision rs to Wine
Spirits and Teas, and goods entitled to drawback
1T Is apparent from these facts that very great facili-
ties arc given for illicit trade. If single port can
be found where, through the negligence of the Off
GERS OF the customs or other cause goods can be thus
introduced there no sufficient obstacle TO their be-
ing transported by water, to another and bettcr
market The mere power to board coasting yes
sci, and demand her manifest, without any obliGaton
on the Master to report her the Collector is who'll
y insufficient for proper security against frauds and
especially IN those ports where an extensive coast,no
and foreign navigation is carried on.
Ihere is also feature in the law, in relation to the
SEIZURE OF goods suspected to have been smugrled
which, 1t Is believed, may be beneiicially modified
These goods are usually seized in small quantities the
owners perhaps escape, or one appears TO claim
them and yet the goods cannot be sold until lbeed
and condemned In court of the United States; the
costs attending which, frequently amount TO more
than the proceeds of the articles when sold The of
lcer not only loses his reward but the T. States are
subjected to costs, and what was intended as an in
ducement TO vigilance, becomes han nugatory
This might be remedied by authorizing the sale with
out condemnation, of such goods as NAV be unclain,
ed, after reasonable notice. An additional and sa-
lutary stimulus may also be given TO the actiyitv NJ
Revenue Officers, by authorizing REIMBURSEMENT "a
them ola portion the proceeds of forfeited goods
which may accrue to the Government The sum
thus seinqulsi!ed would probably be much more than
In the increased socrity of the revenue, urls
ing from the Indictment TO greater vigilance
Inc power to search for. and seize goods found on
iana requires to be enla gcd and better defined TIE
AVOID unnecessary veXatloD, the exercise of the DOW
er might be limited to reasonable distance from the
coast, navlgabe rivers, canals the interior border
1t Is known that considerable exertions are maxine
Tor introducing goods into the United States in viola
ton OF the revenue laws and the Secretary of tbe
treasury finds himself compelled to invite the specia
atlehIion OF congress, TO the adoption of such ulea-
sures' rs may be calculated 10. prevent an evil not
less dangerous to the morals of those exposed TO the
temptation than injurious to the inteess of the Ma
ton. Every measure intended for this object will
unavoidably subject the fair trader to some nconve
hlence out this should be considered as more than
CouhterDaIanced, by the protection affords against
the ruinous competition of those, who can only be
restrained by efficient laws, vigorously executed
Inc present credit system, is believed NAV be
Idtet,aliy improved II the purchaser of goods, OF
any other person than the importer could be lawfully
substituted, as the principal Custon-hous bonds
IN all cases where the importer was not indebted OF
ponds due and unpaid, the security of these debts
might be greatly increased it would in s1Ich case
depend on the solvcncy of n class of merchants ey
posed to less hazard in their business besides benu
| divided among greater number. The credits now
allowed are also unnecessarily complicated The
long credits on teas have been source of heavy loss
to the revenue, and consequently injurious to the in
! terests they were intended TO promote Experience
has proved, that, by furnishing an opportunity for
they stimulate adventurous speculation not less ruin
Gus 70 those connected with them than preiudciaI to
me Government The terms Of payment Tor duties,
now presented ~ law, are as follows
Al sums not exceeding $50, are payable in cash;
al SUNS exceeding $50 for duties the produce of
the West indies Except salt J or places north of tb
equator ard situate on the eastern shores of America
or Its adjacent seas, bays, and CULTS one half liz
months, one half in months:
On salt, months:
On wines, 2 months:
On all goods imported from Europe (other than
VINES salt, and teas) third in months one third