United States Customs District of Salem and Beverly

This act provided for the collection of the duties that had been laid down in the Hamilton Tariff earlier that year.

The district extended to all shores and waters within the towns of Ipswich, Beverly, Salem and Danvers.

[4] Through the 19th century, Salem declined as a sea port, being seriously affected by the trade embargo with Great Britain.

[6] Nathaniel Hawthorne worked in the Custom House as surveyor for Salem from 1846–1849, and the introduction to his famous novel The Scarlet Letter is set there.

[7] The positions of collector, naval officer, and surveyor were appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

From approximately the 1840s onwards, the various posts were seen as a method of rewarding supporters and punishing those of the opposite view by successive administrations.

In 1803, Story was nominated by President Jefferson and confirmed by the Senate for the post, but he declined the appointment upon being convinced that the role would conflict with his then growing private law practice in Salem.

The writer Nathaniel Hawthorne is undoubtedly the most famous name associated with Salem customs, and he served as surveyor from 1846 to 1849.

One of these removals led to the only time the nomination of a customs officer for Salem was rejected by the Senate.

Palfray still held the office during this time though, as recess appointments stay in place until a nomination is confirmed or until the end of the Congressional session, whichever comes first.