Indiana State sentinel., 1861-05-15
IMPORTANT FROM THE INDIAN NATION.
Circular tn Collectors, Surveyors and
other Officers OF the Customs On Tn G
Northern and Northwestern waters
OF tie United States.

Circular tn Collectors, Surveyors and
other Officers OF the Customs On the
Northern and Northwestern waters
OF tie United States.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, May 2, 1851
On the 10Th of April, 1861, the President of
the United States by proclamation declared the
ports of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ala
bama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, under
blockade; and on the 9th of the same month";
by another proclamation, declared the ports of
Virginia and North Carolina also under blockade
since which proclamation this Department has re
ceived reliable information that attempts are fre
quently made to furnish arms, munitions of war,
provisions and other supplies to persons and par
ties in those States in open insurrection against
the Constitutional authorities of the Union
1t becomes my duty, therefore, to instruct you
to cause careful examination to be made of the
mantests of all steam or other vessels departing
from your port with cargoes, whose ultimate des-
tination you have satisfactory believe il.
under the control of such insurrectionary parties
and to compare the same with the cargo on board;
and if any such manifest be found to embrace
any articles of the description before mentioned,
or any such articles be found to constitute part of
the cargo, you will take all necessary and proper
measures to prevent the departure of the vessel,
and to detan the same in your custody until all
such articles be removed therefrom, and for fur
ther proceedings according to law.
You will also make a careful examination of
all ilat-b0ats and other water craft without mani
fest, and of railroad cars and other vehicles ar
irving at or leaving your port laden with mer-
chandiSe the ultimate destination Of which YOU
have reason to believe is for any port place
under insurrectionary control; and if arms, mu-
nitiOns of war, provisions, or other supplies are
found having such destination, you will seize and
detain the same to await the proper legal proceed
ings for contiscation or forfeiture.
In carrying out these instructions, YOU will
bear in mind that all persons or parties in
armed insuuection against the Union, however
such persons. or parties may be organized or
named, engaged in leyying war against the
United States, and that all persons furnishing to
such insurgents arms, munitions of war, provis
ions, or other supplies, are giving them aid and
comfort, and so guilty of treason within the
terms of the second section of the third article of
the Constitution; and you will therefore use your
utmost vigilance and endeavors to prevent the
prohibited shipments, and to detect and bring to
punishment all who are in any way concerned in
furnishing to such insurgents any of the articles
above described.
You will, however, on the other hand, be care
full not to interrupt. vexatiously or beyond neces-
sity, by unwarranted or protracted detentions and
examinations. the regular and lawful commerce
of your port.
You will report forthwith whether any, and if
any, what additional measures NAV be necessary
in your judgment 20 carry into full effect the fore
going directions; and you will report to thi. De
partment from time to time your action under
these instructions. S. F. CHASE,
| Secretary of the Treasury