The Revenue Cutters of the United States are at present nineteen in number They are under the general direction of the Treasury Department, and are employed for securing the collection of the duties imposed upon goods, wares, and merchand se imported into the Un ted States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels. But whenever the President shall so direct they are required to co-operate with the Navy, and they are then under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy.

Each Cotter has one Captain, not more than three Lieutenants, and not more than Seventy men, including warrant officers, gunners and seamen The act of March 2, 1799, provides that the officers of Revenue Cutters hail, respectively, be deemed officers of the customs, and shall be subject to The direction of such collectors of the revenue, or other officers thereof, as. fom time to time, shall be designated for that purpose; they shall have power and authority, and are required and directed, to go on board all ships or vessels which shalt arrive within the United States, or within four leagues of the coast thereof, if bound for the United States, and to search and examine the same, and every part thereof, and to demand, receive and certify me manifests required to be on board certain ships or vessels, and to affix and put proper fastenings on the hatches and other communications with the old of any ship or vessel, and to remain on board the said ships and vessels until they arrive at the port or place of their destinat on. It sha 1, likewise or the day of the master, or other person having at any time the comman of any of the said revenue cuiters, to make a weekly return to the collector or other officer of the district under whose direction they are placed, of the