Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-03-01
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
REPORT OF SECRETARY DIX.

On tile Forts, Arsenals, MINIS, &c, South.
Mr.. Secretary Dix having been requested
| by Congress TO furnish information in regard
to the movements in the Seeding States, ap-
proprlatlng the revenues and property of
the United States Government, replies at
| length
In regard to the collection of the duties on JIM
! ports, nc states that such collection still takes
| place IN the ports of entry established by law
that vessels entered and cleared in the usual
manner, but that in South Carolina, Georgia. AL.
abama, Louisiana and Florida, collectors assume
| to perform their functions under the authority of
the States in which they reside, and hold all pub
lie moneys subject to the same authority. In
stances of absolute refusal to pay money the
demand of the United States, are rected. About
half of the original collectors have resigned but
the other hafproceeded to exercise their functions
| under State authority, without previously per-
forming the ceremony of resignation to the United
States. Fl. ..
The Custom House at New Orleans having been
taken possession Of by the State authorities Of
Louisiana, and the resignation Of the Collector
transmitted, duties were required to be paid to
the State, at least the recognition Of her au-
thorty was demanded, by the payment of bonds
to Louisiana. AS United States Surveyors Of in
terror ports could thus recognize the indepen-
dencc OF Louisiana, goods were obliged to pay
duty to that State, were not transmitted to Gin
cinnati, Louisville and some other twenty ports
similarly situated.
This stoppage Of the mouth of the Mississippi,
the Secretary declares makes the commerce Of the
West subject TO the whm of Louisiana, and trib-
utary to her treasury. Louisiana, he argues, was
bought, in the language of Jefferson, to the
free nav CATION Of the Mississippi. The free nav
igaton of rivers has always been conteuded for by
the United Statcs q natural right; and has even
been formally acknowledged by acts Of the Con-
gress of Vienna.
The lighthouses, beacons and buoys in South
Carolina have been seized, the lights extinguished
and the buoys removed; III Georgia, Alabama,
Louisiana and Florida, seizures have been made,
but Il" removal Of buoys or extinguishment Of
lights has occurred.
Anticipating seizure of the Branch Mint at
New Orleans, the Secretary of the Treasury caus-
ed drafts on the treasurer for $780, 900 to be issued
and forwarded, previous to the declaration Of in
dependence by Louisiana that draft was present.
ed previous to the act of secession, but not honor
ed; several excuses were made for delay, until
the secession nct was passed, and the mint seized
when the treasurer resigned. Mr.. Dix contrasts
this behavior with that of the assistant IT, S. treas
urer at charleston who promptly paid all drafts
on presentation, and applied to the department to
draw for the balance in his hands. MIR. Dix was
informed that the Louisiana authorities seized the
Custom House, Mint, &C., and held them, on
trust; he fails however, to perceive the necessity
for the seizure or the object of the trust
The Marine Hospital near New Orleans has been
seized by the Louisiana authorities, and it was at
first Intended to remove the sick, but on the rep
resentations of the Secretary, this latter proceed
Ing was abandoned, out of considerations Of hu.
manity.
Several revenue cutters in the service of the
U nited States have been seized, despite very po-
litlc and energetic attempts the part of the
1over1pcnt to preserve them. Some of these at
tempts wirc begun some time before any act on
the part OF Louisiana claiming individual State
sovereignty but Mr.. Dix's instructions were tam
pered with and delayed, during their transit
through Alabama, and disobeyed, after they were
'erei'ed BY officers at that time owing allegiance
o the United States. Mr.. Dix's opinions OF this
conduct are temperately but very lucdy stated.
several officers employed in the collection of the
evenue' who resigned after having given up their
hips, were dismissed from the service, their res.
gnations not being accepted. Mr.. Dix defends
ne instructions given by him to resist the lowering
i the national flag, even to the shedding of blood,
ho regards any attempt to gain possession of rev.
nue. vessels as acts Of war.