The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-15

Ontario, and lew Others, where ii il probable |
more active and stringent measures were taken by
the officers to enforce the provisions Of the present
militia laws
Ii has been a subject of much remark at the War
Department al Washington, and often " rendered at
by military men in this State, why Pennsylvania
and Ohio should furnish larger quota Of mitia in
their annual returns the President of the United
States than New York, when il is so well known
that the population of our State heavily exceeds
each of those States Iisperceved that the returns
TO the Adjutan Generai's Office for the year 1850,
show increase Of strength. over 1913, Of 49,
and over lS4S Of 3i045. This increase is obtained
by the continued activity OF the ssbalterns and non
commissioned officers, detailed in warning orders.
We are still far short of an enumeration of our
real force; correctly reported, strength would
number full 100000 militia in the State of New
Ys1k; and il is very desirable for the people, that
the entire force should be reported at the War
| Department al Washington, upon the numbers
thus reported, is issued to this State Its annual
quota Of arms from the general government.
| CHARGES OF SMUGGLNG.-The recent seizure,
al Boston, by the Custem House authorities, Of the
British steamship Niagara, has caused much dis
cussion in commercial circles. On Monday last,
by an arrangement between Mr.. Lunt, a United
States District Attorney, and Mr. Whiting, the at
torney Of the agent for the trustees of the British
North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Com
pany, the vessel was appraised at two hundred and
seventy thousand dollars, and the agent himself,
Mr.. S S Lewis, and Capt. Leitch were received
as bondsmen, when the steamer was released from
custody.
1t appears that fifty packages, containing silks,
satins, ana laces, valued at five thousand dollars
found in the boat and in possession of one
Joseph Dolliver, boatman, of East Boston, who has
been arrested, and an account of whose examina-
ton yesterday will prove interesting, as he is
charged with infringing the laws of the United
States, for the purpose of defrauding the revenue.
The ships butcher, Robert Brownlow, has fled to
parts unknown, thus arousng the suspicion that he
was engaged in the illegal business.
Having thus stated the facts, we are prepared, in
connection with the records of the examination,
TO form an opinion that clears the owners of the
vessel, or the officers Of it, of any participation in
this very serious infraction or the laws established
Tor the protection of the revenue; yet there have
been so many foreign goods especially satins silks
and velvets, struggled through our ports during the
past year, that every honest merchant must rejoice
IN the detection Of any act which may tend to
alarm those who are engaged in such business.
There have been many such transactions, we have
reason to believe, in this city, and within few
months, which have escaped the authorities; but,
being now put upon their guard, they may take
such measures will effecually secure the public
from these dishonest practices, which not only de-
fraud the government, but are rulnous to the BUSH
ness Of honorable merchants strict enforce
ment of the penalties, in the Boston case, will 90
far towards curing the evil; but there will still be
necessity for uncommon alacnty upon the part OF
the Custom House officers all along the coast, to
terminate trade which has too long existed with
impsnity.