Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-20

, stances. was actually succesefulin uniting three
entire divisions Excepting the brigade OF
Scbenck. which had Just opened its way to fall
m tho cnemy's right ut the moment when our
lines finally gave way in 'front.' upon the de-
cisive point IL, ,o -,
A fault, perhaps it was. that it did not pro-
vide earlier for bringing the two brigades OF
Miles. in reserve at Centreville, into action
One of his brigades (Richardson's) actuany DIG
nort;cjnate, though not on the battlefield, and
IN its affair at B%lackburn's ford probably neu'
tralized at least an equal number oil the enemy.
On returning to Ccntreville my opinion was
asked as to maintaining our position, ana l
cove it in favor OF o prompt retreat, ior BE-
Iiievcd tho enemy was far superior in numbers,
and that elated by his victory, he would pur-
snc and | believed that q defeated army, actu'
olly driven back on Washington before a pur-
suing enemy, would cndanger the safety OF Inc
The engineer officers under my command
and attached to the different divisions were rs
Capt. D. P. Woodbury. aud Second Lieut..
rhns F. Cross, to the Second Division under
Can't. Ii. G. Wright and First Lieut.. G. W.
SNYDER. to the Third Division under Colonel
Hcintgelman.
Cant. B. S. Alexander and and First Lieut.
u T. Houston, to the First Division under
Gen. Tyler. o..,
First Lieut.. f. E. Prime, to the Fifth Divi-
sion, under Col. Miles.
They have all been most active and Jealous
in the discharge Of the duties dcyolving upon
them.
4 report from Captain D.. 2. Woodbury. is
herewith. Reports from Captains Wright.and
Alexander and Lieutenant Prime will be fur.
nishcd when received. / am, very respectfully,
your most obcdient,
J. G. BARNARD, Major Engineers.
Legislation or the Lincoln Government.
The following is one Of Lincoln's last:
TO PROVIDE FOB THE COLLECTION or DUTIES ON
IMPORTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives Of the United States o. America
in Congress assembled, That whenever it shall,
in the judgment of the President, by reason Of
unlawful combinations Of persons in opposition
to the laws Of tie United States, become i'm.
practicable 10 execute the revenue laws and
collect the duties on imports by the ordinary
means, in the ordinary way, st any port of
entry in any collection district, he is authorized
to cause such duties to be collected at any port
Of delivery in said district until such obstruc-
ton shall cease; and in such case the sur
veyors at said ports OF delivery shall be clothed
with all the powers and be subject 10 all the
obligations OF collectors at ports Of entry and
the Secretary oi the Treasury, with the appro-
baton Of the President, shall appoint such
number Of w~cighers, gaugers, measurers, in
s~pectors, appraisers and clerks rs may be neces-
sary, in his judgment, for the faithful execution
of the revenue laws at said ports Of delivery,
ard shall fix and establish the limits within
which such ports Of delivery are constituted
ports OF entry rs aforesaid and all the provi-
sions Of law regulating the issue Of marine
papers, the coa,ting trade, the warehousing Of
imports and collection CT duties shall apply to
the ports Of entry so constituted in the same
manner as they 10 to ports Of entry established
BY the laws now in force.
Sec. Q. And be it further enacted, That if,
from the cause mentioned in the foregoing Sec
ton, in the judgment Of the President, the
revenue from duties on imports cannot be ef.
fectually collected at any port Of entry in any
collection district, in the ordinary way
and by the ordinary means, or by the
course provided in the foregoing section,
then and in that case he may direct that the
custom house for the district be established in
any secure place within said district, either on
land or on board any vessel in said district, or
at sea near the coast; and in such case the col
lcctor shall reside ut such place, or on ship
board, as the case may be, and there dctain all
vessels and cargoes arriving within or approach
ing said district, until the duties imposed by
Law on said vessels and their cgrgoes are paid
in cash Provided, That if the owner or con-
sigrec OF the cargo Oh board any vessel detain-
cd rs aforesaid, or the master Of said vessel,
shall desire to enter 4 port OF entry in any other
district in the United States where no such OBJ
structi0ns to the execution OF the laws exist,
the master Of such vessel may be permitted so
70 change the destination of the vessel and
cargo il his manifest, whcTcupon the collector
shall deliver him 4 written permit to proceed
to the port so designated. And provided
further, That the Secretary Of the Treasury
shall, with the appreciation OF the President,
make proper regulations for the enforcement; on
shipboard Of such provisions Of the Laws regu-
lating the assessment and collection Of duties
as in his judgment may he necessary and prac-
ticable.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it
shall be unlawful to take any vessel or cargo
detained as aforesaid from the custody Of the
proper officers Of the customs, unless by pro-
cess of somc court Of the United States, and
in case Of any attempt otherwise to take such
vessel or cargo by any force or combination, or
assemblagc Of persons, too great to be over
come by the officers Of the customs, it shall
and may be lawful Tor the President, or such
person or persons as he shall have empowered
for that purpose, TO employ such part Of the
army or navy or militia Of the United States, or
such force Of citizen volunteers as may be deem
ed necessary for the purpose Of preventing the
removal of such vessel or cargo, and protecting
the officers of the customs in retaining the
custody thereof.
Sec. /. And be it further enacted, That il,
in the Judgment OF the President, from the
cause mentioned in the first section Of this act,
the duties upon imports in any collection dis
trict cannot be efrectually collected by the ordi-
nary means and in the ordinary way, or in the
mode and manner provided in the foregoing
sections of this act, then and in that case the
President is hereby empowered to close the
port or ports Of entry in said district, and in
such case give notice thereof by proclamation;
and therenpon oil right Of importation, ware.
housing anu olHcI pIlSileSes ilClueIlt W Poit'
of entry, shall cease and be discontinued at
such port so closed, until opened By the order
of the President on tl:c cessation Of such OBJ
structions; and if, while said ports are so
closed, any ship or vessel from beyond the
United States, or having on board any articles
subject to duties, shall enter or attempt to en-
ter any such port, the same, together with its
tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo shall be
forfeited to the United States.
Sec. s.. And be it further enacted, That
whenever the President, in pursuance Of the
provisions of the second section of the act
entitled IAN act to provide for calling forth
the militia TO execute the laws of the Union,
suppress instructions and repel invasions, and
to repeal the ACT now in force for that purpose"
approved February IS, 1875, shall have called