If any person not being an officer of the navy, Customs, or Excise shall intermeddle with or take up any spirits being in casks of less content than twenty gallons found floating upon or sunk in the sea, such spirits shall be forfeited, together with any vessel or boat in which they may be found; but if any person shall give information to any such officer so that seizure of such spirits may be made, he shall be entitled to such reward as the Commissioners of Customs may direct.