collectors of the customs

COLLECTORS OF THE CUSTOMS. Officers of the United States, appointed for the 
term of four years, but removable at the pleasure of the president. Act of 
May 15, 1820, sect. 1, 3 Story's U. S. Laws, 1790. 
     2. The duties of a collector of customs are described in general terms, 
as follows: "He shall receive all reports, manifests and documents, to be 
made or exhibited on the entry of any ship or vessel, according to the 
regulations of this act shall record in books, to be kept for the purpose, 
all manifests;  shall receive the entries of all ships or vessels, and of 
the goods, wares and merchandise imported in them; shall, together with the 
naval officer, where there is one, or alone, where there is none, estimate 
the amount of duties payable thereupon, endorsing the said amounts upon the 
respective entries; shall receive all moneys paid for duties, and shall take 
bonds for securing the payment thereof; shall grant all permits for the 
unlading and delivery of goods; shall, with the approbation of the principal 
officer of the treasury department, employ proper persons as weighers, 
gaugers, measurers and inspectors, at the several ports within his district; 
and also, with the like approbation, provide, at the public expense, 
storehouses for the safe keeping of goods, and such scales, weights and 
measures, as may be necessary." Act of March 2,1799) s. 21, 1 Story, U. S. 
Laws, 590. Vide, for other duties of collectors, 1 Story, U. S. Laws, 592, 
612, 620, 632, 659, and vol. 3, 1650, 1697, 1759, 1761, 1791, 1811, 1848, 
1854; 10 Wheat. 246.