New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-05
TIE SEAT or CUSTOMS. OR THE APPRAIS-
ERS DEPARTMENT.


ITS optc1N AND HIsTORY-IMPORTS AND tx
pORTs-How THE BUSINESS IS TRANSACTED
IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL FACTs-INrER-
EsTING PARTICULARS-VALUABL STATS
TICS ETC.
For several years after the formation OF this
Government the management Of the customs at this port
required but one head Importing and exporting
then in their infancy. As time wore on NewAmsterdam
became a thug OF the past and young New-York grew
rich and strong destined 10 become the Hercules OF the
New World By degrees vessels that bad been engaged
carriers between Boston salem and Phiadephia ana
the East Indies found 1t much more remunerauVe 10 re-
ceve on board in distant seas rich and valuable cargOes
rapidly as the old Dutch settlement changed into a
thriving commercial town, Its commerce began 10
The small fleet Of 20 6arfs that bore the hreen stars
aOft and at time comprised the entire Armada that
cut the bright waters of the East and North Rivers,
through the energy Of ambitious merchants grew into
vast constellation Of ships and brigs whose forests OF
wide world round When the age Of steam began to
drive from the highways Of commerce windwafted mes
civilization and linked the Old World with the New.
Under the administration OF James Monroe during inc
year 1929 the proposition TO establish branch OF the
Customs that should be known the Appraisers
Department met by general favor by the merchants
exports and imports received the inspection and
examination, and this custom was continued until the
collector, and Instrumental in having the subject
properly presented TO the Secretary OF the Treasury The
Senate not Obectng the Department was egalzed and
Ab'm r. Lawrence and Frederick jenkins, were APP
pointed United States Appraisers with salary OF $500
per each. In 1924 the Department was wen under
way and doing satisfactorily large portion Of the work
previously performed by the Collector In $780, 1t was
Jeromus Johnson was selected and before The end Of the
year VIM S. Coe was appointed, making the Depart
ment Board Of three. The salary Of the Examiners
was axed $500 and $500 year and thus remained
until 1885, only one clerk in the department received
rapid penman was equal to his reward. Those who did
the manual labor Of the department we're paid week.
nd Tho
good luck" In 1880 the department left the stores at
No Broadst and moved to No IL Nassaust near
COe were made Appraisers IN the place OF two members
OF me ola Board VINO baa is ie % LINEN
President, when Abraham B. Mead was appointed as q
until Harisons term In $40 the salary of the APP
prasers raised to - 900 In lSll three
appointments made, Edward Taylor, Megs ID. Ben
jamin, and Matthias b. Edgar. During part OF Van
Buren's term the labor performed by cOlOred men,
that is the receiving and delivering Of the goods and
this custom continued for several years. In 1872
John Tyler having succeeded Gen Harrison, new APP
pOintments made, aud Amos Palmer, j. $. McKib
ben Gregory Dillon and George Thompson, APP
pointed United States Appraisers The business OF the
department had increased so much that in lSl9 the APP
prasers again changed the location Of their stores aud
removed No. IL Broadst and took possession Of the
fine building prepared expressly for them by Mr. John r.
Peters Not long after this change was made, one OF
old board resigned and Mr.. Vanbrugh Livingston
Samuel j. Willis, were made Appraisers. No other
event Of note occurred dnring the administration
of President Polk During Willard Fillmores term, quite
q order of things inaugurated III the Depart
meut. Old faces vanished, and made their
pearance. In 1sl9 Samuel Frost ~ b. Edgar George
Campbell and Cornelius Savage, became officers IN the
Department. and SO continued for several years with the
exception OF MI frost In 1850 the work OF the Depart
ment had again greatly increased aud the pay Of the
Appraisers was raised TO per year for each member
Of the Board But 1851 IT found necessary
another Department to be known the United States
with foreign ports could be settled and adjusted thus
relieve the Appraisers OF the same The proposition met
with some opposition but was at length indorsed and
April Mr. Egbert Benson was sworn in, as General APP
praiser for the port OF New1ork Since then the follow
ing named gentlemen have acted General Appraisers
George W. Pomeroy, Stephen D. Dlage, Moses f. Odel
Thomas McErath, John p. HogebOOm. the present in
eumbent. In 1853 Mr. Isaac Phillips, Daniel d. Briggs
and 8 j. Willis were made appraisers under President
Pierce. Thus the Board continued until 1901
other enterprises During the year 1861. John T. Hoge
boom and Isaac o. Hunt were appointed Appraisers
80, 81, and SO Broadway In 1862 Judge Hogeboom
another OF the department Mi Isaac o.
| Hunt continued in Office until July, when Mr.. John A.
Baush jeremiah LothrOp, H. T. Ludingon, and Cornelius
Savage appointed to act as Appraisers Air Isaac
Phillips still continuing in office, who continued to
u Senate By Senator Morgan requesting the appoint
ment At thls pof0t one Sei APPRAISER and ten Assist
ant Appraisers The Dill became law, and the Hon
Thomas McElr2th having been confirmed as Cnief APP
praiser entered upon the duties Of his Office and inaug
rated the present excellent system IN April 1871 the
stores on Broadway were vacated and the entire depart
Findings, Nos III iiS, and l3 Greenwchst and No. a
Trinity place. where every facility t2r carrying on the
and put in perfect working order The Public store,
KEEPERS department was also removed, and converted
pointed Deputy Collector, having charge OF IT, The
labor attendant on receiving and delivering the goods
let out on contract by the Government 10 Messrs
Jackson & Muget. Mr.. John Dempsy was made General
superintendent Of affairs, which position he holds
The delivery OF goods being OF the important branches
Of the Deputy Collectors Office requiring the utmost at
tentiOn that wrong deliveries be made three trust
Mr. A. p Hawley and r. f. Banks, who placed
in charge Of the exit of goods at No "a Trinity place and
Mr. Sias Ostrander at No 10 Grcenwcst., where they
remain The correct delivery OF packages to cart
McArdle is the General Foreman OF those in the employ
Of the contractors. At the receiving door, No Green
wich-st, Mr. Thomas WynaDt and Mr.. John McKnsie in
spect and forward by the elevators to their respective
divisions all packages received marking each package
its condition and the day OF MS arrival The offices Of the
1l9 GreenwChst. His two assistants Capt. James H.
Stevens and Mr. w. III. BrOOme The messengers Of the
Deputy three attentive cO'0red men, Mr.. James II.
Lewis Frank Washington, and william Thompson. The
department Of the AppraserinC Chief divided into
separate divisions each conducted by assistant nj
salary Of $780, under whom examiners, yeriicrs
and clerks. The rooms allotted 10 the examiners are
separated from the main building, aud here pack
ages arc held IN charge by those who receive them,
until checked for inspection by the examiner in the Ap
pTaisers department; when thus checked off theJ
conveyed 10 the Examiners room by the openers and
packers where each or package marked with the
date Of its reception when examined the name Of the
Examiner is added. Each package is opened by those
employed openers its contents taken and placed
in position for verifcaOn and examination which is
done by comparison Of the goods in the package and
those designated the invoice and If found correct
Marked corded and sealed and delivered again 10 the
Deputy Collectors department. to be delivered TO the
owners when permits have been obtained and accented
II any package is not found correct the fact noted In
the invoice and the owner Is Informed If in bad