and that we are carrying the views and wishes of
the government into execution, is all we wish, and it shall be
done, independent of every personal consideration.

I have, etc.[87]

This "approbation" failed to come to the zealous collector, and on the
5th of July he wrote that, "not being favored with a reply," he has been
obliged to deliver over to the governor's agents ninety-one illegally
imported Negroes.[88] Reports from other districts corroborate this
testimony. The collector at Mobile writes of strange proceedings on the
part of the courts.[89] General D.B. Mitchell, ex-governor of Georgia
and United States Indian agent, after an investigation in 1821 by
Attorney-General Wirt, was found "guilty of having prostituted his
power, as agent for Indian affairs at the Creek agency, to the purpose
of aiding and assisting in a conscious breach of the act of Congress of
1807, in prohibition of the slave trade--and this from mercenary
motives."[90] The indefatigable Collector Chew of New Orleans wrote to
Washington that, "to put a stop to that traffic, a naval force suitable
to those waters is indispensable," and that "vast numbers of slaves will
be introduced to an alarming extent, unless prompt and effectual
measures are adopted by the general government."[91] Other collectors
continually reported infractions, complaining that they could get no
assistance from the citizens,[92] or plaintively asking the services of
"one small cutter."[93]

Meantime, what was the response of the government to such
representations, and what efforts were made to enforce the act? A few
unsystematic and spasmodic attempts are recorded. In 1811 some special
instructions were sent out,[94] and the President was authorized to
seize Amelia Island.[95] Then came the war; and as late as November 15,
1818, in spite of the complaints of collectors, we find no revenue
cutter on the Gulf coast.[96] During the years 1817 and 1818[97] some
cruisers went there irregularly, but they were too large to be
effective; and the partial suppression of the Amelia Island pirates was
all that was accomplished. On the whole, the efforts of the government
lacked plan, energy, and often sincerity. Some captures of slavers were
made;[98] but, as the collector at Mobile wrote, anent certain cases,
"this was owing rather to accident, than any well-timed arrangement." He
adds: "from the Chandalier Islands to the Perdido river, including the
coast, and numer