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From passing this act officers qualified shall have access to all parts of the ship,
if any box, &c. shall not be opened on demand,
such officers if a degree superior to tidewaiters or boatmen may open such,
if tidewaiters or boatmen, they are to send for their superior officer.
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XXXII. And be it further enacted, That from and after the passing of this act, any officer or officers of the revenue properly authorized, to examine any ship or vessel, or the cargo on board thereof, shall at all times have free access to the cabbin, and every other part or place in such ship or vessel, and in case any places within the cabbin, forecastle, steerage, or any other part of the ship, or any boxes, chests, or other thing contained therein, shall be locked or in any manner fastened, and the keys shall be withheld, or the places shall not be opened for such officers respectively, on their requiring the same of the master or other person having or taking the charge or command of such ship or vessel, such officer or officers, if they are of a degree superior to tidewaiters or boatmen, shall and are hereby authorized and empowered to open the same in the best manner they can, and are hereby indemnified for so doing, but if such officers, shall be of no higher class than tidewaiters or boatmen, they shall and are hereby required to send for their superior officer, who is hereby in like manner authorized to open or cause the same to be opened, and shall be, and is hereby indemnified for so doing.
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