The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-08

l,~"|"eu England, a temporary embargo was
iaid on American vessels ; hut OH the ensu-
ing day, they We're by o,itler Of council per-
mitted TO continue to take cargoes of British
merchandise and to proceed to the u. S.
oe'ng Tor that purpose provided with lcen-
ces. projecting them, notwithstanding the
existing hostilites, against Capture by Bri.
NsH cruizers. 1t has been stated that the
time ior,oO,aining such licences was, with
respect to American vessels then in Eng
land, limited to the 18th of September last.
ana II that be correct, all the vessels of
mat description, (with the exception of
some which having been captared by Ame-
rcan cruizers. re-taken by the British and
sent into Halifax, have not yet been relea-
sed. and perhaps of some which may have
haa very long loyages,) may be presumed
10 nave arrived in the u. States
IL appearing that however reasonable the
expectation OF the dIscontinuance of the non
Importation act might have been, vet not
only the act had made the Presidents pro-
ciamation the only evidence of the fact, but
mat the restrictions were to cease not from
the Date OF the revocation of the ui',lers in
council, out from the date of the prociama-
| .ioh tu'e the act to put merchandise ON
\ Dtard vessel with intent to IMPORT was
| foroIdden by those restrictions, and that (all
the merchandise having been thus laden,
eithcrprematureiy and before proclama-
ton could in point of time be issued by the
PRESIDENT or after the knowledge of wal, }
all the shipments were therefore made in d.
rect ContraveDtion of an existing provision ;
the collectors were instructed to seize and
lioel all such vessels and cargoes without
discrimination. Eo exception was made
with respect to vessels captured and sent in
oy American privateers, because, if Anne
rican property, their right to make prizes
was by law confined to encmy's property,
and whether American or cnemy's, the for
feiturc To theU. >. had been incurred from
the date OF the shipment, and could not be
superseded by a subsequent capture. In
structons to prevent any interference in
that respect by either public or private
armed vessels were also issued by the Pre-
sident: SUCH interference being considered
wholly unnecessary, since the vessels from
England were of their own accord coming
into the ports of the United States. 1t ap,
pears however that in some cases the own
ers OF privateers that have made captures
OF that description intend to contest the
II prior claim to forfeiture of the United
States, and that, in those cases, the questi-
ons must be decided by the courts.
Previous to the time when those importa-
hons took place, it being understood that
the Judges of some of the district courts had
restored to the claimants prohibited mer-
tor the appraised value thereof, the district
attornies were on the 18th day of May, 1912,
instructed by the comptroller to oppose eve
ny motion to that effect for the reasons sta
ted IN his letter. 1t appearing afterward.
that the Judges of some of the most COM
merCiai districts, had. notwithstanding that
opposition on the part of the United States,
continued to order the restoration of British
merchandise no appeal being practicable,
| since the orders were Immediately execu-
ted, and the commercial interest of those
districts where the restoration was refused,
being deeply affected by the want of uni
formity i'll the decisions, the comptroller
did, on the 5th day of October last, autho-
rise the district attornies to withdraw their
| opposition in all cases of bona fGe American
property. Copies of his two circulars on
that subject are inclosed. Allthe prohibit
ed merchandise restored to the claimants.
has been so restored by order of court with
out any interference, other than a forced
acquiescence on the part of the executive
officers of government. With respect "a
the mode OF appraisement, it appears that
the merchandise has generally been valued
at its prime cost, adding thereto only the a.
mount OF duties, for which separate bonds
have in most Cases been taken. To this
there are some exceptions, the valuation
being in Rhode Island below, & in Connects
cut probably above the prime cost of the
goods.
From returns transmitted by the col
lectors some of which are in part on es-
innate, it appears that the prime cost Of all
the British merchandise imported as above
stated, subsequent to the alledged revoca-
ton of the British orders in council. amount,
to about four millions sterling, and that IN.
bonds given for the value will fall shorr q
eighteen millions of dollars, exclusiveiv =,
the bonds given for duties, and which m
be estimated at five millions of aollars
This embraces all the appropriations alread,
made, and will not be materially increasa
by vessels still on their way, unless Il ~
true. as has been asserted, thar hn,.,:ao'
vessels which had sailed to the Balt,c -
certain British licences, will, ON tbe;r 49,:
val in England, be provided with new =;
cences Tor their return to the II 6 ,,iti
cargoes OF British merchandise. Snrb -,
portatons would form a class dist;nrt f, ~,
those now under consideration.
vi the impnrtations heretofore made &.
boat three cigaths N value were in vessel
I which saiicd rom England between the %,
ct June and 1st OF August last, and the roc;
due III vessels which sailed subseouent =
the month Of July. The whole NAV b.. = p
fanged untIer the following heads, viz,
l. Merchandise purchased prior to- III
non in'portation ACT of I'd March, 1911. an
which had remained w1rehoused in Enelau
at : lie risk o. the American owners.
I T. MeTchandizc prrchased subsequent +
fhe Act OF ID March, f9t1, and prio,. IN m
f.C Inn