Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-05-23

The following circular address by the
Secretary of the Treasury to the Collec-
tors of the Customs, appears in the Balti-
more American
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
7th May, 1917
rSIR-A general impression appears to pre-
vail in all the commercial cities, that frauds
upon the revenue committed to "a conside-
Table extent by invoicing merchandise, pay
ing an ad valorem duty, which costs lesstlan
twenty-five cents the yard, with those that ex-
coed thatprice, so as to produce an average
value above twenty-five cents the yard, and
thereby introduce coarse and cheap fabrics
without paying the duty contemplated by the
notwithstanding to the same impression,
frauds of a more glaring nature are frequent
~ committed upon the revenue, especially in
importatons on consignment by the intro
ducton of articles not described i'll the invoi-
ces which from the imperfect manner ia
which the inspections of the packages are
made, escape with impunity
tits possible that this impression may not
be correct to the extent that ithas been made,
but il is believed that due regard to public
opinion upon this subject, requires that more
rigid inspection than has been heretofore made,
should be attempted with view to detect
the frauds which arc supposed to be practsed.
1t is therefore proposed;
lst That proportion of the packages which
contain goods subject TO ad valOrem duties,
shall be selected from each invoice by the col
hector, which shall be strictly inspected, with
view to detect frauds which may be attemp-
ted by putting in the same invoice goods of
greater or less price than twenty-five cents
the yard.
I'd. That certain proportion ofpackages pay
ing specified duties be desgns ed in like man.
ner by the collector, which shall be thorough
Jy examined for the purpose OF detecting any
attempt which may be made to smuggle any
articles not described in the invoice.
3d. That the proportion of packages to be
designated by the collector on importations
upon consignment be double the number WREN
the person who enters them is the owner and
Importer.
packages designated shall be lodged in the
public warehouses until the inspection be
made.
5th That every importation shall be deem
ed to he upon consignment, unless the person
who makes the entry shall expressly negative
the fact i'm oath of entry.
In order that the inspection directed for
the purpose of detecting frauds of the first
kind may be skifnlly executed the Inspector
whose habits and inclination qualify him for
the discharge of that duty, and in whose iudg-
ment and fidelity you have most implicit cor
fidence, should he exclusively employed for
Ghas purpose. Should none of the inspectors
nos' employed be considered well qualified by
you for this service, you are authorised to select
one specially for that object, and report him to
this department.
AS tits an object of importance that the re-
venue system should be rendered as perfect
as possible, and that every attempt 10 evade
the provisions of the existing laws should be
known, YOU are requested TO communicate to
nature. accompanied by suggestions 0. the
provisions necessary to repress the evil.
am, most respectfully,
Sir,