Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-01

Secretary Guthrie's Instructions TO the com.
mander Of Revenue Cutter Jefferson Davis
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
n.t1l, 90 uorn

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
October %, 1853. {
SIR: The revenue cutter jefferson
Davis" being now, as is presumed, fully
equipped, provisioned, and manned, you
are hereby directed to proceed with her. as
speedily as may be, to the district ofPu-
gets Sound, on the coast Of Washington
Territory, which is to be her established
station, and to report yourself and the
said cutter for duty to the Collector of
the customs for said District, at Olympia,
the port of entry thereof
Your principal duties will be those of
an officer of the customs and by exam
lining the inward and outward trade. to
prevent the illicit introduction of dutiable
goods, particularly at unguarded points
OF the coast, and otherwise to prevent and
expose any attempts to violate the revenue
laws. These duties are clearly pointed
out in those laws, and they are also, I
doubt not, familiar to your practice and
experience but on the station in which
they are now to be exercised, remote as
it is from the orders ard authority ofthis
Department, with coast and course of
trade but little known, the authority ofthe
laws not yet well established, and pop
ulation too new to have created salutary
public sentiment, their discharge will call
for more than usual energy, zeal and dis
cretion.
Whilst in the performance of these
principal and material duties, there are
some others, which will necessarily result
from the present condition of the country
in which you will be employed, and from
your position as an officer of the Govern
ment, position which must inspire the
motive, as it certainly attaches to YOU
responsibility to aid and promote the in
tereSts and objects of the Government i'm
every branch of the public service, as
far as may be consistent with the indis-
pensable duties of your own. Amongst
these duties, it will be your part to ex-
amino and report from time to time as
convenient, on the coast, barbors and
Inlets within your cruising ground-the
course of trade, and by what nations it
is carried on, and the productions and
wants Of the country, including the fish
cries, if any, upon the coast. To afford
transportation and materials, and accom-
mediation to officers of the Coast Survey,
for the establishment or supply of Light
Houses, and to officers of the Army and
Navy, acting in pursuance of the orders
of their respective Departments, when
ever the objects in view can thereby be
promoted without prejudice to your own
proper duties. In all such cases no
charges are to be made beyond the actual
expenses incurred for provisions, or 9TH
erwise. In case of distress from ship
wreck, or otherwise, falling in your way,
you will faithfully represent the benevo-
lent sentiments of our people, by obeying
the laws of humanity as far as may be
in your power.
The sum of five hundred dollars is
placed in your hands for the purpose of
enabling you to provide for any unfore-
seen accidents that may occur on the
voyage; and, in disbursing any portion
thereof, you will take the necessary and
proper vouchers. Whatever balance may
remain IN your possession ON your arri-
val at Olympia, you will deposit with
the Collector of the Customs at that place,
taking duplicate receipts therefor, one of
which you will transmit with your account
to this Department. When your account
shall have been examined, and it shall
appear that the disbursements have been
faithfully made, it will be settled and
closed at the Treasury, and you advised
accordingly.
In the event of your vessel sustaining
damages beyond the amount entrusted
to you for accidents, &C., you will cause
the repairs to be made, and draw upon
this Department for such sum as you
may furnish proper and authenticated
vouchers. 1t is to be distinctly under
stood, that no alterations of your vessel,
involving an expenditure of money, will
be sanctioned. In all such cases, if there
be any Consul of the United States, or
other such functionary at the port, you
will place yourself in communication with
him, and avail yourself of his aid and
counsel.
You will, after your arrival, report reg
ularly to this Department, and transmit
through the Collector, the usual monthly
transcripts from the journals of your ves-
sci. These journals will serve as the
standing evidence Of your activity in
command, your supervision ofthe revenue,
your care over your men, and your ac-
curacy in administration, upon which the
continued confidence of the Department
will depend.
Upon arriving at your port of dcstina-
tion, you will please give notice to the
Collector of the condition of your vessel,
in respect to provisions and pay, who
will provide by contract for the former,
and make disbursements for the latter,
either out of funds in his own hands, or
upon requisition addressed to this De-
partment.
Before concluding, L take leave too COM
mend to your careful protection, counsel
and guidance, the subordinate officers and
men of your command. | trust you will
feel as their commanding officer, that you
are in a measure responsible for their
comfort, health and well being. In sick
ness, they will be your especial care, and
in health, besides your own honorable
example, impress them with the happi-
ness of an upright walk in life, aid
public duty in what rank or grade faith