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Indiana University 
was perhaps the best regulated of the large ports. In such 
waters the Dutch were well qualified to trade. And they no 
doubt took advantage of the opportunity that conditions in 
America afforded them. One interesting method of this smug- 
gling is brought out in the letter of a European of that day 
writing home from America. In his letter he gives what he 
calls the “latest and approved method of smuggling practiced 
with much success’’. It follows: 
Buy a large stout ship of any build (except Dutch). Take your 
cargo, man her with men and boys of different nationalities and steer 
boldly to the American port as New York, Philadelphia, or Charleston. 
She must have several captains so she can pass as any nationality and 
steer boldly for American port. Americans have neither laws nor 
power to punish smuggling. Mark that. Say you put in for provisions. 
If that won’t do, say for repair and that you are bound for Lord knows 
where. While you go on with the repairing send your men on land to 
mingle with the people and let it be known that you have a few choice 
chests of tea or some silk or 20 or 30 pieces of Nankeen purchased for 
a special friend but that it must be disposed of very privately, etc., etc. 
Meanwhile the ship lies out in the middle of the stream and you dispose 
of your whole cargo 
At this kind of performance the Dutch were past masters 
thru long experience. Altho from what has been said above, 
it appears that the Dutch did not always have to go to this 
much trouble in American ports. Many Dutch ships evaded 
both tonnage dues and duties on their cargoes by putting in 
at small ports and landing places.®^ So much was this prac- 
ticed that land along the seacost and rivers in certain localities 
had an added value on account of the opportunity of buying 
Flemish and French goods at from 20 per cent to 50 per cent 
cheaper than elsewhere. Reputable men in advertising such 
land for sale did not hesitate to mention the opportunities for 
this kind of trade.®^^ The Dutch commerce with Virginia and 
to the Chesapeake and the Delaware increased, and those re- 
gions furnished some of the best opportunities for that kind 
of smuggling. There is no doubt that Dutch and American ship 
captains took full advantage of these opportunities. 
Beelen von Berth olff, Berichte, 675. 
Carey, American Museum or Repository, VII, 144. 
^Ubid., V, 353. 
