The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1816-01-10
CO OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
CoSsvLAR OfrrsE OF sPAlH,l
n. II NJ
.Ne1e York. Dec 81. l8l5<

DON THOMAS SIOCGHTON, His
Catholic Majes,y's Consul Tor the State Of
New-York, has just received from his excel
ieocy Don Luis De ONIs, minister pleDipo-
tcn,iafy and envoy extraordinary nearihc u
niied States, royal decree, dated Madrid,
loth Of August, 1915, by which several pti-
viegcs and rights are grap,ed TO The Island
oil Puerto Rico, the most important whereof
is as follows, and published for the informa-
,on of the public:
lst. All The rights and privileges bes,ow-
ed by king Charles Sd. on said Island, are
now reinforced and TO these arc added IA
favor OF that colony, all those which were
once enjoyed by the inhsbitan,s Of ,he island
OF Frinidad spd New Orleans, when under
,he dominion Of Spain.
2nG. "A direct free trade is allowed to all
Spanish vessels between the Island OF Puerto
Rico, and all ports whsrc there is Spanish
consul, BY whom the invoices of all goods
aod effects that may be shipped, must indis-
pcnsably be signed and scaled.
3td The inhabitan,s Of said island, as we'll
as all Spanish sobjscs who may carry on this
usde, are likewise permitted 10 export from
thence all kinds OF produce and goods. Epro-
vided they are no, OF foreign origin) to eny
fore,sn porS in Amesioa belonging TO nations
az peace with Spain, and to import ,herefrom
all Kinds Of produce, goods, and merehan-
dize they may wish. This royal pcrnissiod
Is granted for fifteen years, which is TO be
computed iron, the date OF ,he decree. Spc-
Gle only cannoi be exported through this
channel.
4th. The aforesaid inhabiton,s are also a..
lowed TO purchase negroes in foreign cole-
m tca ip,n
the island, exempted from ell the duties on
SAID impor,s'ioD, for The space OF fifteen
years. They are moreover permiued for
three years to buy foreign vessels, under an
exemption from all such duties as were here
,otorc payable in the island.
5th. Foreigners, belonging 10 nations who
| are atPeacc with Spain, are Invited to settle
| in Puerto Rico. Lands will be given them
| graiis in the name Of TIE king, anc after sew
| en- yeacs have elapsed from the time of II ~
establishment in the Island, all the righ,s
and privileges Of naturalization shall be con-
| ierred on them, so that the way shall be OPP
cneI 70 held any office, either citi or militia
~, according 70 their Talents and merit
6,h. Tie inhabitanIs of Puerto Rice, as
| well as Foreigners who are se,llcd the, e,shaii
! be exempted, fsr fi,een years, from paying
any 'lthes' aod alter th3t pe'lod tbey Sbsl
| pay only | 2 per cent,on account OF iythes.
| Several other advantpges, exemptions end
privileges, are granted to tbe inhabitants ct
| Puerto Rico, which are likewise 10 DO enjoy
ed by evoty foreigner who may settle there.
Free people Of color are in the same manner
allowed 10 settle IN that Island. The trade,
however, spoken Of ebove, can only be carii
ed on by Spanish subjects, or. by foreigue 5
established in Puerto Rico, in SpAni.h bot
toms, with the absolute exclusion ot foreign
bottoms.
Further particulars and Information on THE
SUBJECT can D. obtained q, the ofiice Of every
Spanish Consul in the United States who Is
furnished with copy Of the aforesaid Royal
Decree.