The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-18
MR.. DE BARY'S GUN.

TOM HOUSE oFFIcERs-ARE THEY IN coLLU-
SION WITH THE BROKERS?
Frederick de Barry returned to this country by the
White Star steamship Germanlc on Saturday last
He unfortunately possessed in his luggage double
barrelled shot gun of English manufacture. and to
this weapon the readers OF the HERALD indebted
for another exposition either of Custom House stu
pidity or impostion-let them judge which. Only
three weeks ago chronicled the experience of
the wife. child and nurse of Mr.. Cratic. merchant
of Leonard street. who also arrived by White Star
steamer and were subjected to gross indenity at
the hands of Custom House inspectors. Mr.. De
Barry js well known importer of Wines whose
place of business is in Warren street. He went to
Europe the 9Th of july taking this gun with him.
for sporting purposes. He had used Tor two years
in fact bought it second hand and while in Florida 1t
was carried by his guests. General Van Vlet and
General sherman. According to Mr.. Do Barys
own statement. he informed the Inspector at
Quarantine in his declaration that he had
two trunks and one gun case. The trunks contained
certain dutiable articles. which he enumerated.
but tho gun old one. which he rcckoned
among his personal effects 1t too late to enter
his luggage Saturday. he resides at present in
Summit, N j.. so intrusted this duty to his por-
tor on the day following. After paying some $50
ON the dutiable goods which Mr.. DO Barry
had in his declaration the porter obtained
possession OF the trunks. and asked for the gun.
The inspector handed him piece of paper which
announced that the gun had been taken the United
States storebouse. All the other property de-
vered. since It agreed exactly with Mr.. De Bary's
declaration On the back Of the paper narrating the
disposition of the gun, the inspector had written:
"Evidently used"
ISsoLENcE OFFICE
Monday morning found Mr.. De Barry on board the
Germanic. He met the purser and asked him if
he had seen his gun The purser replied that the
gun had been sent to the public store in Laight
street person who overheard the conversation
suggested the ACCESSIBILITY of employing Custom
House broker Mr.. De Barry called at the
public at ten O'Clock. and was told by
IF YOU want it, said this man. "yon had
better employ Custom House broker Mr. De Barry
did nothing Of the kind He has his own broker.
but in this instance he preferred acting for himself
He found Deputy Collector JONES' with whom lie IL
acquainted and told him what he wanted. The Off
Ger wrote on the back OF the paper committing the
gun to the public store. "To be informally APP
praised" This. in the MIND OF Mr.. De Barry. APP
peared to end his troubles, but he mistaken,
Another officer kept him waiting for half
hour before saying "That gun has evidently
osH ss hundred dollars ANSWERED. P Mr. De Barry
and the officer added ~ could raise such gun for
his personal effects. and asked the officer If he
| through II can't deliver it yet" was the reply:
| ''You had better employ Custom House broker"
u
efforts will be appreciated by many another citizen
| who has had similar experience. For two days he
bottled his wrath and then went to General Mer
rift about it, The Collector ordered the papers to
| be brought to him. examined them and saw they
were perfectly correct; then he said according to
| Mr.. De Bary's staemeut:-
ut is misake that is all. presume you some
times experience mistakes in your own private bust
| ness, Mr.. De Bary?'
''Yes." the response; but if mistake occurs
in my business 1t is who suffer for it. Who suf-
| ters for it in the present instance? have been
| q Ofi
who are the servants of kings. queens cmperors.
| treat every person courteously. In this port you
first make traveller swear concerning his luggage
! and then treat him as perjurer. You are the
wants of the government OF the United States tho
| servants of it's citizens"
After some further conversation between them
the Collector and OF his assistants made out the
| Merritt said the inspector on the wharf did not
know the messenger of Mr.. De Barry. To show no w
careful 1t was necessary for inspectors to be- he
lated an instance OF gentleman worth 81 OOO0 900.
who entered this port and omitted to declare six
valuable lace curtains which he had in his trunks.
| Mr. De Barry replied to this:-"There are plenty OF
thieves lathe streets OF New York, but you would
not therefore arrest every citizen on suspicion"
| ~ ON ITS MERITS.
The shotgun finally delivered to its owner,
| and on paper which accompanied it was written.
Storage waived" In conversation with reporter
OF the HERALD yesterday Mr.. De Barry related the
facts as above, and added that the Collector himself
had treated him fairly and courteously. The
that the Custom House authorities make citizen
take oath, aud then, not believing him. treat him
| as perJurer. second, that there would appear to
| DC collision between the inspectors and the
brokers'. II well known individual ap-
pears before them It is all right; his
baggage is passed. Several of my fellow passengers
have said to me since my affair became public
why, gave the inspector SO and it was all right
I did not pay IS, and / meant to how
much justice could obtain simple citizen Of
the United States. i am satisfied that stranger
though he be citizen but is not known to the off,
GERS is liable to great deal OF annoyance not to
say insult. You imagine the situation of vis-
tor to this country who had but few days to spend
and required two three of them to get his bag
gage through the Custom House."
Collector Merritt said to the reporter:-"When
Mr.. DE Barry called tried to explain to him just
how the difficulty was occasioned. Had he gone for
his baggage himself there would have been
trouble. Tho inspectors did not know his porter
Their orders very strict where they not
tain thing is not dutablc Probably the inspector
to whom MIR. De Larry explained that the gun
old not the dock
when the baggage passed upon. Unless
the gun among Mr.. De Barys personal effects,
to send 1T to the public store. From thence II could
only be taken after the that all other prop
erty must undergo. Whom asked Mr.. De Barry tor
the names of any person or persons who had
advised him TO employ custom House
broker, he could not furnish them. That IL u
matter which would receive immediate attention il
had any evidence which to proceed. also
| teousy by any officer OF the Customs and he
swered No.. Dscourtesy to travellers will be at
tended to whenever brought to the attention OF the
service. Beyond that the inspectors. like myself
bound by certain laws and are responsible only
for their execution"
BAGGAGE RELEASED FROM BOND.