Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-02-23

defend this long stretch Of frontier, there are
probably at this time as many Is twenty watch
men, These are substantially ell the precautions
employed 10 cheek the ccl ltrabaLd trade The
Inducements to suugglers are two dollars per
gallon upon spirits Of simple proof, seventy Ave
cents per pound on tea, snd fabulous prices On
spices, drugs, meiiciues, chemicals, silks,
/ trimmings, &c., &c u some Of the articles
values to the amount Of thousands Of dollars
may be brought over n the pockets Of q single
! individual BY the vigilance these few officers
! are able to exert, and by accident, enough has
been discovered to satisfy any reas, nabe mind,
I that the contrabaId trade is carried On most
extensively.
10 be sure, It is net alleged that whole ship
loads or cars full Of merchandise are crossed
al a single time, tut sleigh loads and small boat
loads and lesser quantities are constantly cross
iug al one Ioint Or another. Ii you make in
qury Of any wholesale iiqu0r-dtal,r within a
hundred miles Of the frontier, you VIII learn
that he does not sell a barrel now where he
formerly sold hundred; and if you will make
inquiry If your city wholesale dealers, You will
learn hat the consumption ofyery many articles
has apparently ceased IN those districts border
ing on the frontiers.
Not more than year ago the head Of bar
III of what purp0r;ed 10 he Canadian oats fell
NtaA A AAAf Oh OF NAt EAiNHlAS ItAA-
ing from Ogiensbursh. and disclosed a very
heavy smuggling operation, and led TO tie seiz-
ure Of forty barrels Of cloves, valued az eight .
thousand dollars. About three months since a .
man, rather green, walked of ierFy-boat, .
Just landed from Canada, having in his hand
earpet-bag On being confronted by an officer,
De exhibited an uueasiness which aroused sus
picions, and up0n search it was discovered he
bad fifteen dollars worth Cl morphine IN the
tag Tie could have carrci it all m his pock
cts. Last week smuEeler dumped out q key
of nine gallons OF the Oh OF cloves worth Si.jJ
per pound, iu order 90 escape with bis teams.
As a sweeping argument | viii state that the
value oi the property seized ia this district
iuIiug the past year is greater than the duties
received in the same time. and nobody believes
lAat ene-tseuiieth part Of the merchaudlse
iuuIuIeuts imported has fallen into hands the
Of the officers.
Until there Is "a radical change in the nature
f mankind there viii always be enough ai-
'enturcus spirits % take ths small risk ot seizure
" "hsn such great iriucem,-t- are oi,rel 90
ho.e who would engage De-. ,0utrab and trade.
'erAaIs you VIII not deem t.,-e instances suf-
l'eut 90 prove The existence ot "a large contra
ald trade across the border, Tut if space per-
nitted ] would muiuI .y them sim,s; iuietu,t-
There i- Ur4u,st.nltiy -muEs.irs .oagi,
u our northern frontier, which without a.
rea-r Of force and vigilance viii undoei.-
aiy increase after The abrosation Of t.o
,ec.Irlcity Treaty. and she difficulty oi
omI .cie collection of the da,ie>, 600 !r5a-
.,r OF three thousand miles. dividing us
.aa l,r Maj.s.Y'- provinces. VII urque>
.naa.Y hc used as a strong argumoa. .or 2
.lowaI ot the Treaty 10 some shape.