The Express.
London, England, 1851-11-15 00:00:00

THE LORDS OF THE TILEASCHT TO THE COXIMISIONERS

Treasury Chambers Nov. 1, 1851.
Gentlemen,—l am directed by the Lords Commissioners
of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, that my lords
have had under their consideration your report of the 31st
ultimo. enclosing a letter from the secretary of the London
Duck Company, espreasing the desire of the directors that
the proceedings now pending may be discontinued, and the
goods under seizure at the docks released from detention.
My lords observe that you express your coneurrene. in
this suggestion, and, at the same time submit, that, under
all the circumstances, the goods under seizure may be re-
leased on payment of a nominal fine, to mask the irregular-
ities which have taken place.

My lords have no reason to doubt that all the goods in
question were properly placed under detention, and that in
most cases they might be prosecuted to condemnation ; but
' the object of t proceedings wus not far this purpose, or
to inflict heavy penalties on the Dock Company, but to
put a stop to those irregularities of the servants of the
company in the conduct of their business, which were at
direct variance with the provisions of the law, and
calculated to afford facilities fur fraud and to endanger the
revenue. _ .

My lords are aware that by the proceedings which were
n for this purpose heavy expenses have been already
incurrede
by the parties.
My lords are glad to find that the admission of the direc-
tors of the London Dock Company, in their secretary's let-
ter, leaves the right of the crown to make seizures under
such and similar circumstances without question, end they

are willing to infer from the expression on the ion of thi
directors of their hope that confidence and harmony may
be metered between the Board of Customs and the Dock
, and of the determination of the company to leave
undone for this purpose, that the company will co.
opines with the Commissioners of Customs to establish
asik regulations for the future as may prevent a recur-
ranee of the irregularities which have led to the present
Plfiy lordsh on . these considerations concur with you in opi-
ates that the Apses which you have had in view
win he,. bees solidsally aMaYeil without proceeding fur-
ther to the legal mmineseatien of the goods, and are pleased
therefore to sanction the release of the goods from detention
upon payment of a fins of 1001., in order to mark the irrc-
gularitiee which have taken place, and upon the further
condition that all the goods ander seisure shall without de-
lay be recorded in the crown's books for the security of the
duties thereon, and the due observance of the regulations
affecting the same, for which purpose the Dock Company
may be permitted to pass the necessary entries.
My lords entirely concur with you in the necessity for the
establishment of such regulations for the future manage-
ment of the business of the docks as will prevent the
recurrence of similar irregularities, and they desire that
you will take into consideration the steps requisite for that

ul PTo My lords relying upon the assurances coutained in the
letter of the Dock Company, now under consideration, are
further pleased to desire that you will center with the com-
pany for this p urpose, and they have full confidence that
you will meet with the cordial co-operation of the directors
in the adoption of such regulation' as may be deemed neees-
limes the hoover to be, Gentlemen, your obedient say-
must, (Bißeod) C. E. Tazvatuis.
The C0n2111660110711 of Custom&