The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-23
Bosros. Feb. IS. 1871.

the New Workers are making much ado
through The newspapers 10 relation TO the appointment
ola merchant to the Collectorshp ntimstng that The
present Collector has subjected the merchants OF that
city to many unnecessary and perpexing suits, in
consequence Of being lawyer, which the sound, prae
tica sense of merchant would have avoided Al
first thought the objection lawyer appears very
plausible but the second sober thought proves il all
moonshne-as devoid of truth as is the story of the
destruction of the Horseshoe OF Niagara Falls, Goat
Island, Biddle Tower and Table Rock or Mr.
Lockes story that DR. Herschell could see distinctly
animals, &c, in the moon
As see things it matters not whether Collector
has been lawyer, merchant, mechanic, or farmer for
if he is honest capable and industrious, he possesses
every necessary qualification requisite to good Off
In regard to unnecessary suits which these mer
chants pretend to have been subjected to by Mr. Hoy
and which they intimate instituted by him the
ground that he lawyer, will endeavor to show
in few words but the visionary dreams of the dis
torted brains Of some few foreign merchants who
would build up their fortunes at the expense, and
perhaps ruin, Of the correct and honest merchant
and who had they sufficiently understood the routine
ofcustom house business would have remained silent
In the first place, the importer goes to the custom
house. makes his entry, that it is correct, and
also that the invoice contains just and true
of all the goods contained in certain packages therein
named and the actual cost Of said goods at the place
of purchase, and all charges thereon. The law also
requires further proof of the correctness of the entry
than the oath of the importer and makes it the
duty of the Collector to order certain number of
packages out of every invoice to be sent to the public
stores for examination by the appraisers. The APP
Paisers examine the goods and find perhaps that each
package contains ten pieces Of goods than the in
voice represented, that the goods nvoced at
much less than the actual cost Thereupon the APP
praisers make report Of the facts TO the Collector
and he agreeably to Is oath Of Office orders the goods
seized for attempted violation of the laws
Let here ask, it not the bounden duty of the
Collector to seize these goods, both account Of
violation OF the laws and that the honest i'm
porter may be protected and not suffered to pay double
49, i..X nr nrtEnhar, the agent OF
great manufacturing establishment in England
Again. the law makes II the duty of the Treasury De
partment to control and interpret the revenue laws
and instruct Collectors relative the classification
and duty Of all goods Now, for instance, a person
imports an article which, he supposes, is entitled
TO entry free but upon entry of the same he inform
cd that IT liable TO duty under instructions from the
Treasury Department The merchant being fully
ushed that the law sustained him in the opinion that
is free Of duty the Collector for the col
lected said article, and perhaps H. Well
is the Collector be blamed because he had subjected
this merchant to expensive and perplexing suit
No. The Collector was acting under explicit in
s,ructions from the Department, which instructions
made by said Department strict conformity TO
law
Now suppose for instance, the Collector had been,
previous to his appointment practical merchant will
any believe for a moment that he would have
stayed proceedings in the case or disobeyed
press instructions in the other in violation Of his oath
OF Office 7 No.
Permit me 10 call the attention of those New York
who such stcklcrs for the appointment OF a
merchant in preference all other professions or call
ings for Collector that is much more important that
the office Of appraiser should be filled by practical
merchant for in this the law requires the person
so appointed to be practically acquainted with the
quality and value Of one or more Of the chief
articles Of Importation; and that instead of
mcnding merchant, for Collector to the exclusion
the professions, would advise them throw aside all
distinctions and recommend man to this high and
responsible office in whose integrity the world may
have implicit confidence and of whom they can say
with Truth, he is both honest and capable With such
man at the head of the customs in New York, the
Government and People may from again
being Swariwouted
The Tips and Ty's TO have two splendid balls
on the 4h of March next in this city one to be held
in Faneuil Hall and the other in Quincy Hall
There is percePtibIe change to be quoted, either
in the money stock, or produce markets.
THE POLITICIANS REGISTER,