Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-07


OF the importations heretofore made, a.
bout three eighths in value were in vessels
which sailed from England between the 23d
OF June and 1st of Angus; last and the resi-
due in vessels which sailed Subsequent IN
the month of July. The whole may he ar
ranged underthr following heads VIZ.
/. Merchandise purcaased prior TO the
non-importation act of Cd March, 1911, and
which, mad renamed wa-ehoused in England
at the risk o. the American owners.
.. Merchandise purchased subsequent
to the act of Cd March, 1911, and prior to
the Esd of Innc, 1912, aud which since it's
purchase had remained in same manner in
England.
8. Merhcsndize shipped on American &C
count and risk, N pursuance of orders given
prior 20 the 22d lIac, 1879, lat Mt paid for
TILL after the execution 81 such orders, and
on different terms of credit
4 Merchandise shipped in pursuance of
similar orders. out consigned in the frs in
stance 10 ne order Of the American CORES
pondents of the British merchants, to be
delivered according to Contingent instruc-
TONS TO he real purchaser; which merchan-
, dive becomes American property when thus
! delivered, but remains I'll chen on British
account and risk.
S. Merchandise shipped entirely on Brit
ish account.
There are no data from which. without
further investigation, the amount of each
Class can be estimated.
| The advance on the prime COS. ut which
the merchandise thus imported has been or
can be sold is nos precisely known, and will
undoubtedly vary accprding to the species
| OF the goods 1t has been asserted that i'm
| some sales the advance was sufficient to CO.
B, yer not onlythe prime cost charges s. duties,
but even the whole or the amount of the
| bonds. That this may have actually taken
! place in same particular instances may be
! true; and it is probable hat the importers
/ would, so far as they could cover i'm their
sales The estimated risk of being obliged TO
! pay those bonds. But so far as can be iudg-
/ ed from the current price of good. and from
| sales SAID to have taken place, the supp0si
! ton that they have been or Can be general
| ly made SO as tn cover the whole amount OF
I the bonds, is believed 20 be greatly exagger
! ated.
1t is, however, an indisputabe fact tina,
T., the importation falls generally far short OF
the ordinary former annual importations
/! from Great Britain, and of the actual dc
mand for most species of merchandise i'm
ported and that the gnDds are accordingly
! generally sold at an advance greater than
the usual profits or importers. The differ
| ehce Constitutes an extraord nary profit, and
IS tax levied on Inc community by the
! PeTS"ns VINO haveimported thS merchandise
! contrary 20 law which extra profit or tar
Is solely due to the on-importation act con
tinuing III force with respect to all other
persons and importations
| Or the toricitures accrued, one half is by
! law vested III the custom house officers 81
informers, and the other half in the United
States. The power to remit the share of the
United States and of ali other persons, in
| whole or III part, and on such terms and
conditions as may be deemed reasonable and
| just, is by law vested in the secretary OF the
| treasury. But considering the magnitude
&! and Unforeseen nature ri che case, il was
! thought propernot TO exercise that autho,i.
| ty until congress had taken the subject into
| consideration, & prescribed, it they thonght
| proper, the course to be pursued. Al the
petitions already received remain therefore
! suspended and in order to avoid useless ex-
pences the parties have been generally adj
vised To delay making their applications il
the manner directed by law, until the deci-
sion OF Congress should be ascertained.
have the honor to be,
With great respect,
Sir,
| Your obedient servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
! Honorable Lapgdon Cheves,
Chairman OF the Committee
of Ways aud Means.