New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20

merous TO mention on the records as passing
through the port in those days. In one corner of
the thick walled cellar Of the old custom house
the great scales used in weighing molasses and
sugar are still 10 be found and in another are
the big tubs in which the salt was weighed. Be-
side them are the awkward swinging platform
scales with which the Goldfish were weighed.
In those days Of Newburyports glory over one
hundred and fifty fishing vessels hailed from that
port: now there are only two schooners belonging
there.
astrous TO the country at large was a help to the
Newburyport Custom House. for while it was on
the sleepy little port was surprised by the arrival
OF six or eight cargoes OF soft coal from Nova
Scotia The wood pulp arrivals at the port will
make the receipts for the fiscal year ending June
30 1904. something enormous in comparison with
the barren reports from the Office in past years.
The establishment of the custom house at New
buryport dates back to the formation of the federal
government Newburyport was made a port OF
entry by act OF Congress IN 1888 the district in
GLIDING the towns OF Salisbury. Amesbury and
Haverhill. The old records show that Tristram
Dalton, a Senator from Massachusetts in the Ist
Congress proposed that Ipswich also be included In
the district This movement met. however. with
opposition. and finally defeat. Later Ipswich was
added to the district and is still a part of it
The first appointments OF customs officers were
made by President Washington after visit
he paid to Newburyport in November. 1889 Stephen
Cross was named for collector, Jonathan Titcomb
for naval officer and Michael Hodge for surveyor
and was succeeded by Edward Wigglesworth in
1872. The cause for the change does not appear,
but whatever it was 1t seems that the people were
wei satisfied with Mr. Cross, for in 1898 he was
elected member Of the General Court Later he
was appointed postmaster at Newburyport and held
that Office until his death in 1909
Colonel Nigglesworth. who OF Revolutionary
fame, held the Office of collector only two years
when he had to give it up account Of old age.
he was succeeded by Dudley a. Tying in 1895. Mr.
Tying held the appointment eight years. General
hdIph cross, his successor, he'd once until ISL.
~ Is recorded OF his WIDOW that she met General
La-aIette on the occasion OF his visit 10 Newbury
port and had a long conversation with him. Daniel
Foster, a sergeant in Lafayette's select corps OF
infantry IN the war OF the revolution, and to whom
General Lafayette presented valuable sword as a
token of esteem, was appointed naval officer of the
port in 1929, and held that office until his DEATH in
1888. The collectors holding office after the death Of
General Cross were Joseph MarQuand, 1911 to 1921
and James Prince, 1921 to 1929
General Jackson, who was inaugurated President
rnents to the offices in his power and Samuel
buryport. holding the office from 1928 to 1S41.
Henry W. Kinsman held the office from 1871 to
Mr. Kinsman again held the office from 1s49 to 1883
James Blood was collector from 1853 to 1861 and
Huse. father of the present deputy collector Arthur
L. Huse, held the Office from 1870 to 1856 George
Mayor T. c. Simpson now Judge Of the Newbury-
port police court collector from 1890 1898 and
was succeeded by h. P. Macintosh. the present
The Newburyport Custom House is a fair type
OF the simple yet solid construction prevailing years
ago Even the roofs OF the storerooms in the cellar
OF brick built in intersecting arches The Gus
tom house when first established in Newburyport
stroyed by fire together with the surveyors office
then in a separate building When the present sub
stantial building was erected 1t was one Of the
finest buildings in Newburyport. Everything about
the old structure is suggestive OF the days when
the town was one OF the busiest spots along the