The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-13

Seizure Of the British Steamship Niagara.
MIR. Greedy, the collector of this port, (says the
Boston Courier of the 18th instantly has seized the
British steamer Niagara, which arrived on Sunday
morning last, for violation of the United States
revenue laws. IL appears that certain parties,
probably without the knowledge Of the officers OF
the steamer, were detected on Monday night in the
of smugging goods from the vessel to the shore,
which goods have been recovered, and were re-
moved to the United States store house on Thurs
day. The goods consisted of satins aces, silks,
and other rich articles TO the estimated value Of
between $4,000 and S 5000, and of course are for
feited. according to the provisions OF the law.
None of the officers of the steamer implicated in
this smuggling operation. We learn from the
Mail the following additional particulars:
Gas is customary. two or three custom house
officers were sent to Cunard wharf immediately
the arrival of the steamer, to remain and supern-
tend the discharging her cargo. On Monday
night two of these officers-Messrs. Thos. Went
worth and II. A. Cook-retired to the small office
on the wharf, and went to sleep; a third, Mr.. c.
r. Sturgis, (custom- house watchman,) had orders
to watch on the wharf
"About eleven o'clock the attention of Mr.. Stur
gis was attracted by noise, as OF something drag
ging on the wharf, and he followed in the dircc-
ton Of the sound, when he discovered shore-bo
close alongside the wharf with man in it, about
showing off. Mr.. s. hailed, WHO'S there' Man
in the boat returned the hail with, Is that you,
Wentworth" Yes replied s who continued
What have you in that boat" The reply was,
A passenger and his baggage, who am to take
to Governor % Island
"The individual in the boat Mr. Sturgis recog-
missed by his voice to be Dolliver, an East Boston
boatman, and he ordered him at once to throw him
the painter, and allow him to examine the contents
of certain bags which he discovered lying in the
bottom of the boat This after considerable oppo-
sition by Doliver, was complied with, and the boat
again fastened alongside the wharf. Dolliver
then came ashore.
Dolliver says he does not know the person who
employed him, only that he to row him and
his baggage TO Governors Island. The man, on
the approach of Mr. Sturgis, made hnsty retreat,
and has not since been seen.
''Messrs. Cook and Wentworth then took pos
session of the bags in the boat and locked them up
in the office. On Tuesday forenoon they were
opened, and found to- contain embroidered laccs,
satns, and silks. The bags were four in number.
On Tuesday evening five other bags were found
slowed away in the coal house.
"These were also taken possession of by the off,
and found to be filled with goods of similar
character to those before seized. The value of the
goods thus smuggled is about twelve thousand dol
lars. They ware packed in dirty looking canvass
bags. The bags and their contents were taken to
the custom house and placed under lock and key.
"Close watch was maintained about the steamer
from that time until Thursday forenoon, when
Fletcher Webster, the surveyor of the port,
panied by eighteen custom house officers, visited
the steamer and made close inspection, assisted
by the officers of the steamer. Nothing more of
suspicious character was, however, found"
The operators in this proceeding understood
10 be German Jews,