United States v. Mantor

This is a case of no inconsiderable embarrassment and difficulty, and I have hesitated upon it after a good deal of reflection. The decision to which my mind has at last come, is not without some lurking doubts, but it is that to which my judgment persuades me. The judgment of the district court turned on the general proposition that coasting vessels were under no circumstances within the purview of the 54th section of the revenue act of 1799, c. 128. If that proposition be not true in its utmost generality (as no qualifications are specially stated) the judgment below cannot be maintained; if it be true, then it ought to be affirmed. The act of March 2, 1819, c. 48, having divided the sea coast and rivers of the United States into two great districts, has regulated the trade of coasting vessels bound from one port to another, within either of those districts (in which predicament the vessel, whose case is now before us, is) by those sections of the coasting act of 1793, c. 8, which apply to coasting vessels bound from a district in one state to a district in the same or an adjoining state on the sea coast.

The argument of the defendant’s counsel in substance is, that the coasting act of 1793, c. 8. meant in all respects, to regulate the coasting trade, except in a few cases expressly provided for in the revenue act of 1799, c. 128; and that consequently all other provisions of the latter act ought to be applied exclusively to vessels coming from foreign ports; and that the generality of the language of the 54th section of the same act, ought to be restrained to vessels in the latter predicament. To this argument, to a certain extent,. I readily accede. The act of 1799, c. 128, in its principal provisions, looks certainly to the foreign trade of the United States, and in many, perhaps in a majority, of its provisions, by express terms, or by necessary implication, applies exclusively to vessels coming from foreign ports. But the primary object of that act being the security of the revenue of the United States, and as auxiliary thereto, the prevention of illegal traffic and smuggling, there is no necessary conclusion that its provisions may not, when general, apply to all vessels whatsoever. There is no pre-tence to say, that illegal traffic and smuggling, and frauds upon the revenue, may not be committed by vessels engaged in the coasting trade; or-that there is in the coasting act of 1793, c. 8, any provision in pari materia, with the 54th section of the act of 1799. And it would be still more difficult to affirm, that this section was not as useful and salutary in relation to the coasting as the foreign trade of the United States. ' If there had been in the coasting act an express provision upon the same subject matter, the argument would have been more cogent and satisfactory. In some of the early laws of the United States, provisions were inserted, equally applicable to vessels in the foreign and domestic trade. Gradually a separation in respect to many of the most important regulations, from the difference of their nature and requirements, has taken place between them. But it remains to be proved, that the separation has been entire. It is asked, why in the 18th section of the act of 1799, c. 128, a special provision is made as to coasting vessels, and to locks and fastenings on them, if the 54th section be also applicable to them? The answer is, that this provision is made for a special case, applicable to vessels in the foreign trade, coming into Ocracoke Inlet, and allowed to discharge their cargoes into lighters and coasting vessels, to be transported to any port of entry or delivery connected with the inlet, without previously paying or securing the duties due on their cargoes. But for this provision, the cargoes so unladen, would be forfeited; and but for the regulation as to the cargoes being under locks and fastenings, there would be great danger of frauds and smuggling. By the general coasting act no coasting vessel can regularly have on board any foreign dutiable goods, the duties on which have not been previously secured or paid.

It is worthy of notice, too, that the 54th section of the act of 1799, is almost a literal transcript of the 31st section of the revenue act of August 4, 1790, c. 35 [1 Stat. 145], It was therefore, a regulation in existence at *1159the time of the passage of the coasting act of 1793, and is in no wise inconsistent with it, and has been re-inforced and re-enacted since that period. There is no pretence to say, that it was repealed by the act of 1793, or that its subsequent operation has been, or could be, restrained by it. It stands then, upon its own terms and connection for its reasonable exposition. The 54th section declares, that it shall be lawful for all “collectors, &e. to go on board of ships or vessels in any port of the United States, or within four leagues of the coast thereof, if bound to the United States, whether in or out of their respective districts, for the purpose of demanding the manifests aforesaid, and of examining and searching the said ships or vessels.” It is said by the defendant’s counsel, that the qualification, “if bound to the United States,” plainly shews, that vessels from foreign ports only, are intended, and not coasting vessels. This is not admitted. These words are evidently a qualification of the preceding words, and restrain them to such vessels within four leagues of the coasts as are bound to the United States, in contradistinction to vessels bound to foreign ports. A provision in substance as broad, and applicable to all vessels, is inserted in the coasting act (coasting act of 1793, c. 8, § 27 [1 Stat. 315]), and authorizes revenue officers to go on board all vessels.. to inspect, search, and examine the same, and if any breach of the laws of the United States (not merely of the coasting act) is committed, whereby the vessel, or goods on board, are forfeited, to seize the same. If the 54th section had stopped after the words, “for the purpose of demanding the manifests aforesaid,” I should have been strongly inclined to think that these words would have restrained the meaning to manifests of vessels from foreign ports, and have excluded coasting vessels. But the supplementary words, “and of examining and searching the said ships or vessels,” seem to me to enlarge the power so as to reach coasting vessels, which revenue officers are undoubtedly entitled to search and examine by the very terms of the coasting act There are no other words in the section imposing any limitation upon the general phraseology. The court is therefore called upon to interpose one, where the sense does not require it, and where no public mischief or inconvenience justifies such a limitation. We know that by the terms of the coasting act, permits under some circumstances, are necessary before unlading the cargoes of coasting vessels; and a forfeiture takes place, for having smuggled goods on board; and sometimes for omitting to put goods into the manifests. In point of fact, the practice is proved to be, and always to have been, in conformity with the construction of the law, which is asserted by the district attorney. I see no evil in such a construction; and I perceive much public good and convenience in it. I am not therefore prepared to take a case out of the letter which seems fairly within the spirit of the section; or to deprive the language of its natural force, simply because it stands in a law pointing in its general direction, to vessels engaged in foreign trade. I am driven, therefore, to say, that in my judgment, the judgment of the district court ought to be reversed. Judgment reversed.