New-York tribune., 1902-01-05
md NOT DEMAND DUTY
yoTE FROM COLONEL PHELPS DE-
CLARES LEJEUNES HAD RIGHT To
BRING IN SEIZED GEMS FREE.

Mr. and Mrs. Constant Lejeune In whose
,snporary home, at No. 53 Washington SQUARE
,srels said to be worth S25 900 were seized on
Friday evening by Mr.. Theobald. a special agent
~ the Treasury Department, were at the Gus
tom House yesterday morning, expecting to
hare hearing before Collector Bdweu II
crouch Special Deputy Collector. adjourned
,be hearing until tomorrow morning. If was
aid that there had been no appraisal of the
eeized Jewels. but Mr.. Lejeune said their valua
vss less than $4,000 Frederic r. Coudert. tr
as counsel for the Lejeunes said that the
.sizure was an outrage
Mr. Coudert said that Mr. Lejeune consulted
hin about the middle of November as n the
need OF paying duty on Jewels and household
furniture which the Lejeunes had brought to
this city from their former home in Brussels
Mr. Lejeune. the lawyer said, had intended to
settle In this city and become a citizen of the
United States, and he told the customs officers
or his arrival that the property he and his wife
brought with them had been in their possession
f1r years and was intended for their personal
use, and so entered it without payment OF duty
The Jewels had been given TO Mrs Leteune by
her husband and other relatives Mr.. Leteune
said he had changed his plans about living here.
and intended to cultivate grapefruit on a plan
tation Miami Fla. Therefore he wished
70 sell his furniture and some of his wife's
Jewels and invest the money in the Florida
plantatiOn. Mr. Coudert said he advised the
Lejeunes that. as their property had been
brought 10 this country free Of duty in good
faith they We're at liberty to sell 1t without
paying duty on 1t. but he would consult the
Collector Of the Port and ascertain his views
Therefore" Mr.. Coudert continued. 81 saw
Colonel Phelps. deputy collector. and head Of
the law department in the Custom House. and
explained the matter to him fully. He said I
had advised the Lejeunes correctly. but in order
10 svoid any possible difficulty he would write
sletter to me, stating that the Lejeunes had the
right TO sell their property.
4 Therefore stated in writing to Colonel Phelps
what ! had told him orally. and received
ply from him TO the same effect as his oral
statement. Upon receipt Of this letter I in
formed Mr.. Lejeune that the matter settled
and that he might make such disposition of his
own and his wife's property as he desired.
The next thing hear in regard to the case
was the statement in this mornings papers of
the seizure Of the Jewels. 1t seems fair ques-
ton 10 ask as 10 whether there is anything
whatever TO prevent the sanctity of the home
being invaded by customs officers to seize prop
erty which the owner has stated TO the authori-
ties he willing to pay duty upon, and which
owed the government no duty"
Mr.. Theobald listened with apparent indgna-
tion to what the lawyer said, and then told the
newspaper men present that he wished to make
statement. He said:
In the performance OF my duty I represent the
Collector and every act of mine has been performed
under the instructions of the Collector OF the Port.
When I 20 about a l don't propose TO be
nterfered with by attorneys government officers.
When this man arrived in New-York on the Kaiser
Wilhelm June Is he declared absolutely nothing.
! have proof that goods were offered for sale and
that goods sold by these people. When II
comes 10 a question of integrity and honor and
character, purpose 10 show his character that IS
II the case ever reaches court
When MT Lejeune landed. in response TO the
usual questions OF the customs officers he said he
had nothing 10 declare except about IS worth OF
bTic-a a-brac, which he intended for his use
The law says that he must declare all jewery in
his possession, q il is dutiabe Mr. Lejeune
has sold already over $4,000 worth of jewelry not
including that seized last night. and he has other
property on sale in this city which expect to seize
before go 10 bed tonight.
Mt. and Mrs Lejeune appeared before United
states Commissioner Shields Thursday and
look out first citizenship papers They gave
Inelr address as Cocoanut Grove, Miami Fla
They were accompanied 10 the Commissioners
Office by Mr., COudert.