Philadelphia, Dec. 8.
THE CUSTOM HOUSE, sc.
{"newspaper_name": "American watchman and Delaware advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p3", "byline": ""}
The failure Of house transacling, we believe
the largest East India business in the United States
has engaged much conversation and speculation in
this city. BY common consent, the subject seems
10 have been excluded from the press, although in
many OF its relations and bearings, it could not but
engage public attention and affect the public interest
We induced 10 touch upon this delicate topic in
consequence of TWO communications, both signed a
Merchant which treat OF it with knowledee and
liberaly of views, which almost on any other sub
iect would command the columns Of our paper We
not aware that any good can be effected on this
head by discussions in our public journals which
cannot, as certainly and efectualy, be accomplish
ed through other channels.


We are aware that " an inquiry will be instituted
before Congress" The public is too large credi
tor not to require strict investigation, not merely
into the conduct of the individual most concerned,
but into that of the Public officers with whom he
has been most actively and intimately engaged in
the transaction of his business. We cannot but
hope that this event will lead TO thorough inquiry
into the manner in which business is done at our
Custom Houses.-Such an inquiry, prosecuted as
inquiries usually are, before the British Parliament
could not but result in much benefit TO the commu-
nifty. We know no class of men who would be so
interested in forwarding such an inquiry as honest
and we'll mentioned Merchants.


Let an intelligent and industrious committee, be
appointed, with power to SEND Tor Persons and "a
pers, ard we do not fear, but they will report such
mass of facts as would enable Congress to egisate
with more knowledge than they have heretofore
done as to the best, and least oppressive, mode OF
levying and collecting the Customs. Another con.
sequence OF such an Inquiry as We suggest, would
probably be that Congress would feel that the in
lerests Of the Treasury we'll Of Individuals and
the Union, would be greatly promoted by the pas
sage of "uniform Law on the subject of Bank
ruptcies throughout the United States"


Dem. Press.