The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-16

Smuggling and Other Matters.
Perhaps NO such safe and easy facilities for SNUG
CLING are anywhere else to be found as the quaran-
tine station Of the port OF New York presents. 1t
has oil the necessary advantages by rea-
son OF its character and location 1t is
protected BY law from the impairment visits
OF all others but tho Health Ofncer and his de-
puties, and In the lower quarantine vessels hailing
from ports In the sunny southern hemisphere, laden
with sugar, fruits, rum and precious bran ds OF
cigars are as completely isolated from the outside
world a. though they were In mid-ocean. It is easy
TO perceive how feasible 1t becomes, especially
der cover Of the night to any number OF cof-
ans filed with cigars water tanks filed with rum
- snug abiding place on shore. During the
recent quarantine season it was q sub
ject OF not unfreQuent remark at Port
Monmouth that the Long Branch boat on
her return trip to New York generally car
ried large quantity Of cigars besides something
that wore the suspicious appearance Of q disguised
rum barrel. The primitive and simple minded peo-
pie OF Port Monmouth never perhaps dreamt that
the cigars and the rum might be contraband and
we're on their way to New York in defiance OF the
excise and the Custom House authorities, perhaps
Il satisfied them to be told that of the hotels
Long Branch were returning portion Of their sur
plus stock to the city However these easy-Qoing
villagers troubled themselves very little to inquire
who owned the cigars and rum or whittier they were
going.
the quarantine station on West Bank looks over at
Port Monmouth from distance OF q few miles,
There may be some occult species OF mutual sympa-
thy and attraction between them, considering that
OF men and stand like sentinels in charge Of
The almost deserted sea and shore around them.
the evening could take In a straight line after
brief pull coffin load OF cigars TO the old and lonely
pier at Port Monmouth rom the quarantine station
ut West Bank, and this quiet style OF ntercomnuni
cation could be carried on with delightful ease and
regularity through oil the pleasant evenings OF
summer. Surprising this were So would 1t furnish
any explanation OF the peculiar freight which the
Long Branch boat brought generally back 70 New
York from the desert coast and the desolae village
OF Port Monmouths The original source from whence
the weed and the extract Of lnolasses came might
he presumed to be the West Indian vessels in the
lower quarantine lying nightly convenient to West
Bank. This Is very Interesting subject OF inquiry
for the proper authorities, and win, no doubt, be
attended to next season. Then farewell 10 the fame
OF Port Monmouth.
Last season q vessel from Havana came into quar-
antine under the suspicion or the revenue detectives
that she contained large quantity OF smuggled
cigars. she was strictly searched aud watched
without any satisfactory result; but one evening
Afterwards, as with her sails set she stood out 10
sea, boat was seen TO drop astern and receive
something like a CONN overheard. The occupant
was dimiy recognized as one OF the most daring
spirits OF quarantine-now gone to his rest-a dare.
devil sdventurer who made the duh business OF his
position one OF large profit and excitement. In this
instance finding the Custom House officials too vigil
liant and determined not to allow the perquIses Of
quarantine to slip through his hands he started or
on u pretended uSHug Trip dnu aW&iIe the coming
up of the outward bound bark.
The Health 0f1cer had an utter repugnance TO
any boat but his own coming near the quarantine
ships, no matter II they were without the slightest
taint OF Infection. Especially did he abhor the
approach OF . Custom House boat; but one time it
happened that revenue detective took q small boat
IN visit vessel In the upper quarantine business
connected with his department. The doctor dis
covered the fact, and forthwith, in angry and per-
emptory terms, announced his intention OF detain-
ing all vessels IN future i've days longer II they
permitted a similar breach OF his orders Four
other small boats lay around the vessel prior to the
detectives q rival, hut they had another kind Of
ence.