Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-03-30

The most unwarrantable charges alleged
agains, me by the Collector, calculated to 5.
blast my reputation, are supported by two af-
fduvts, founded on hearsay, which have not
the least foundation in truth, and which will
prove by ample and indsputnble evidence
from the most respectable sources. As far
as it regards the charge Of weighing and
charging unlawfuly though much more might
be said in justification Of the course pursued
in that case, Tpresume my letter to the Hon.
Henry A. Wise the 18th of Feb. last.which
is published in the journal Of the proceedings
Of the committee Of which that gentleman
was Chairnan,s sufficiently explanatory, and
must be satisfactory to every candid and lib
cral mind. | will add one fact only that did
not occur to me at that tirne,-mr. Cogges-
hall was on the wharf nearly all the time ]
was weighing the cargo Of the brig Charlotte,
OF Boston, Capt. Lothrop. then stated to
him the arrangement in regard to weighing
it, and when he came to receive his part Of
the emoluments Of the quarter,l stated to him
all the facts, nearly as related in my letter a.
bovc named, and he observed-there, can be
no objection to that course, the Collector be-
ing satisfied, and the same thing being done
in other places, and there being no fraud oD
the Revenue, which it is the intention Of the
law to guard against. ! state this in an
swcr to Il question put by mr.. Wise, to mr..
Liulefeld, which he could not answer Mr..
Coggeshal received his appointment OF
weigher and guager from the late venerable
William Ellcry, Esq. the first Collector OF
this District under the Constitution. lie
stated to me at tha; time, that the first cargo
he weighed after he was appointed, which
was entered for expectation, and which was
at the time when part Of the money paid for
duties, or bonded,was retained by the United
States for expenses incident to the allowance
and payment of draw wbacks, in that case he
was directed by that correct and efficient Of
fcer not to weigh the goods the second time,
when exported. lie carried in his returns
on the importation and expectation, but in his
account he charged for weighing in'card only.
The Collector directed him to take back his
account, and charge weighing for expectation
also-as he did not mean by directing him
not to weigh the goods Oh exportation, to de-
privc him Of tins perquisite Of his Office. In
the execution of the Revenue laws, much is
left to construction, aud it is well known, that
~ IL olb q
the letter and intention of the law, and nc
one was ever more rigid in the correct per.
tormance Of his duties, than the Venerable
and highly respected citizen just named
\ And the late Collector had precedent in hi:
I predecessor and in the Collector Of 'Bostor
for the course pursued here. . Fl
II 1t is unfortunate for me, that in conse
/ quencc Of the lumented illness Of the late
| Collector, Christopher Elfery, Esq am de-
1 barred the advantage of the evidence of thi:
correct, high-minded, and highly respected
gentleman in the case am now about 70 ex
anime; and to expose the false, scandalous
and malicious charges exhibited against me
by mr.. Littlefeld, the present Collector,whicl
are founded on the uffidav,s Of Sylveste
/ Hazard, keeper of Beaver Tail lighthouse
and lloratio N. Tracy, Lieut.. Commanding
the Revenue cutter Viglant. can accoun
for the malignancy of Lieut.. Tracy, but it il
difficult for Inc to account for the course tax
EN- by mr.. Hazard, with whom have neve
had any difference, and whom have hither
to considered an upright and honorable mar
hope it will be in his power to account fo
it nationally, and shew he was imposed upor
for as Il citizen have always respected hiIi
I can account for his course only in one woy
1t will be recollccted that few days bcfor
the town meeting in this State, for the clioic
of Electors Of President and Vice Presiden
r a strong gale in favor of General Harrison
which commenced in Pennsylvania, rcache
I. here, and continued to blow furiously for Sc,
eral days,and the tide seemed setting again.
y Van Buren. Beaver Tail is bleak place
I storm, and Sylvester, from his critical an
) exposed situation, shiuered IN tie Wind.
, happened on the day of the choice of Elec
/, tors, that Sylvester went in his boat to cate
q some fish, and in consequence Of the IIarr
= son gale blowing him off shore, and the Va
e Buren tide setting against him, he was NJ
5 able to get on shore to attend town mectin
= and did not rote, and because he could M
q command the elements, for there was no,hin
d else against him,as soon as the storm subsi,
r. ed, and the tide turned in favor Of Van b,
d ren, the friends of the President elect ihrea
,r cned to turn Sylvester adriit, and there wei
j. mahy competitors for his Office. Thus situ