Why did Herman Melville become a customs inspector in New York City?

Herman Melville became a customs inspector in New York City primarily to secure a stable income for his family.1

Following the decline of his literary career and the financial struggles that marked his later years, Melville sought government patronage to provide for his wife and children. After several unsuccessful attempts to secure other government positions—including a consular post—he was finally appointed as a customs inspector on the New York docks in 1866. This position provided him with the financial security he had long sought, allowing him to continue his writing during his evenings, weekends, and vacations throughout his 19-year tenure at the customs house.1