The
United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by an act of Congress on 4 August 1790 as the
Revenue-Marine upon the recommendation of
Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton to serve as an armed
customs enforcement service. As time passed, the service gradually gained missions either voluntarily or by legislation, including those of a military nature. It was generally referred to as the Revenue-Marine until July 1894, when it was officially renamed as the Revenue Cutter Service.