The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-02-06

Goods and the Packet Ship Oxford Of the
black Bali Line-EscSpe OF the Parties
Implicated M
Disclosures were made in this city yesterday Of
and smugglers, that created intense ex-
citement among all who were made acquainted
with the facts, the particulars OF which were
known 10 us at early hour, but the ends oil pubic
Justice prevented from giving them publicity un-
til this morning, which we now proceed to do In
full detail About ten days since, the captain OF
lying at Peck slip came into the porter
house of man named Clark, in that vicinity, about
daylight in the morning, and said he believed that
there must be some smuggling going on about the
vicinity, as he saw several cabs on the wharf near
the packet ship Oxford in persons were placing
pieces of broadcoths. Clark Immediately placed
himself on the watch and traced the cabs to the
house of Benjamin Parker day police officer OF
the Fourth Ward in James slip. He then gave no.
tee to Mr. Taggart, the Surveyor Of the Port, who
ordered the house Of Parker to be
searched, when fifteen cases Of broadcloths were
recovered, valued at from $4,000 to $4,000.
In short time after officer Godfrey, of the Gus
toms, and an associate, obtained knowledge OF the
removal of other cases in another conveyance and
gave chase in the upper part of the city They toll
lowed at utmost speed after ascertaining that they
were on the right track, and but few minutes in
the rear of the vehicle until reaching Kingsbrdge,
when the long sought for carriage, containing seve-
raj bales of cloths and carpets discovered UNI
der the shed, and was Immediately seized by the
officers, together with two Fulton market boatmen,
who were endeavoring to escape with the goods.
These men were brought back and lodged in pri-
son.
This seizure wheted the appetites of the officers
of the customs, who receive a share OF all reco-
vered, and a close look out was kept for several
days in the vicinity Of the ship Oxford and the
Montezuma, but without any discoveries.
On Friday night last a one-armed, lame man
came TO the barge Office and gave notice to the Off
GERS on duty that he had seen eighteen large bales
of goods removed from the Oxford that evening.
The captain of the night watch Immediately sent
men to keep look out, but nothing was discover
ed that night. On Sunday evening Collector Curtis
came to the barge office. soon after dark, and Or
dered two night watchmen to repair to the deck of
the Oxford and one other to take his station at the
head of the pier. About three O'Clock yesterday
morning the first mate of the Oxford, whose name
we believe is Gage, formerly Of Boston,, in COM
pany with another person, came on board the YES
sci. and invited one of the Custom House officers,
named Cook. into the cabin, and he there openly
goods and then offered Cook $iOO if he would per-
suade his associates away SO that they could take
out the remainder of the goods belonging to the
importer and throw them overheard, IN order to
avoid detection Cook, to his credit, refused 10 re-
accosted officer Christal,who had been stationed on
the pier and after much solicitation, and many earn
est appeals on the part Of the mate who Plead first
with tears in his eyes, alleging that the loss OF the
L.. 1oe, S0t he ~ q W
posture would be ruin 10 him and his family. And
after finding that his appeals were useless the inn
porter then put his hand in his pocket and offered to
give Christal $1,000 IN cash if he would persuade
to remove the bales of goods from the vessel be-
longing to him, and throw them overheard, so that
she could not be seized by the officers of the Gus
toms. This Christal refused, saying that he was a
violate his oath for any amount: Entreaties and
bribery being Intellectual, partial threats were
thrown out and while the parties were thus IN con-
sultation, Admiral Van Bnskirk, OF the night guard
made his appearance, and the mate and importer
escaped. The latter is supposed to have car
ried on business in Cedar street, and Is repre-
sented as small man, with light complex,
ion The mate has been in the employ OF
the owners OF the Line tor several ,S years and nd
placed in command ofthe ship on the next voyage.
As far as can be ascerained, there were forty.hve
cases Of these goods on board, which he had
agreed to smugge in free of duty, for the small
sum of $500. Neither the owners of the packet,
Capt. Rathbone, her commander, or her agent had
the most distant knowledge OF this transaction, but
had relied upon the mate as honest and correct In
every particular
on board Of the Oxford, of the same importation
and marks as those previously smuggled she was
seized by the Collector of the Port, and will be
confscated. Six cases and two bales were also
found on board of the Montezuma but as no known
bod hea rroadA IN land them she not
seized, although ii is not supposed that any owner
will claim them. They will therefore fall to the
share of the officers Of the customs and the govern
ment, and as the vessel seized is worth probably
much more, the collector, surveyor and officers
concerned in the seizure, will pocket very hand
some dividend Of the smuggler's losses.
There is no doubt, from what we have learned,
that this business Of smuggling has been carried on
to great extent for the past several years, partlcu-
ary in small cases Of silks and cloths, that have
been passed out of the cabin windows OF vessels
into small boats that have been dropped astern for
that purpose We have list of persons who have
been engaged in this nefarious business, which
shall be handed to the proper authorities when.
ever they appear to move IN this matter with pro-
per spirit.
ship Oxford had been arrested, but we could moi
trace it to any responsible source Officers are In
pursuit, as also to secure the importer, whose name
is known to those most interested.
THE NATIVE AMERICAN PARry-FIRsT WARD =
There was large meeting of the Native Amer
cans of the First Ward, held last night at thu
Henry Clay House, III Washington street, whicl
has been chosen as the head quarters of the ward
Several excellent and spirited resolutions wer
adopted, which will be found in our advertising
columns. The march Of Young America is steady
sure and triumphant. The voice which will b
heard at the next charter election proclaiming he
power, will cause the sold hunkers'' to tremble
Then we may expect police reform, retrenchmen
and an enforcement of our city ordinances relativ
to cleaning the snow and ice from the sidewalks
which at present have become dead letter
Where are our Street Inspectors?
ABOLITION OF THE GALLows.-Last night meet
ing Of {" the citizens of New York, opposed TO tn
infection OF death as legal penalty for crime, a
| unchristian, barbarous, demorazing, and by il