In June, the sloop Liberty, belonging to John Hancock, whom the crown officers cordially hated because of his opposition to them, was seized under peculiar circumstances. She had come into the harbor with a cargo of Madeira wine. Just at sunset, the "tide-waiter" in the employ of the commissioners went on board, and took his seat in the cabin, as usual, to drink punch with the master until the sailors should land the cargo of dutiable goods. Hancock had resolved to resist the obnoxious revenue laws; and at about nine o'clock in the evening, his captain and others in his employ entered the cabin, confined the tidewaiter, and proceeded to land the wine without entering it at the custom-house or observing any other formula. So great were the exertions of the master of the Liberty that night, that he died from their effects before morning.It was evidence. Officer, did you ever swear an oath to uphold the Constitution? Just wondering.The sloop was now seized by the officers of the customs for a violation of the revenue laws.
I mean, what country do we live in?
I gues I’m at a loss at where you’re going with this....look at the facts of the underlying case...remove the obvious historical reference and then tell me what the problem is....in other words John Smith arrives in the United States with a load of weapons which he is intending to drive across the southern border.....He knows he is required by law to declare the weapons and pay a duty on them. Because he doesn’t feel like paying the duty, he invites the customs officer over for a little chat, holds him against his will and proceeds to unload the now illegal weapons into the Unites States. Now do see a problem with this scenario? Let’s say the cavalry arrives and decides to seize the conveyance (the auto) that was used to bring the weapons into the country (facilitation) Where has the state overstepped it’s authority? It is enforcing the prevailing law at the time.
As for your question of defending the Constitution, I did swear to uphold it and sometimes it means enforcing laws that I may not personally agree with. But we are a nation of law...not selective enforcement.