Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-09-21
(from the " Y. Ire. Posi-. }
...nrf.f II
To Collectors, .Nsral Officers and Surveyors, Treasury
Department.


passed during the late session Of Congress, le37-;'e
I'm the examination hive been enabled to bestow upon
then, The laws enumerated below appear more directly
10 relate and affect the Important, interests conhded TO
your inmeda management; and certain OF them nav
ing heen made the subject OF special instructions, while
the res, are sufficiently clear in their provisions have
only at this lime 10 require that they may be duly com
ped with and enforced, with the understanding that if
aDy question shall arise in their execution II will he
proper for you to communicate with the department 10
relation 10 il.
| An Act concerning the punishment Of certain
crnes-4pprOred .harch 10, 1888.
= An Act concerning the port Of Baltimore-.lrproV
ed March 10, 1893
3 An Act repeating certain provsoes in the Act Of
July Ia, 1s32-.7pprored Nay 81. 1888,
An Act concerning duty bohds-.1Pprorsd Jane ~
1873
5 An Act concerning the existing blockade Of the
ports of Mexico 7Wrored July 5, 1888. oo
6 An Ac, modifying the deposle act OF June %, 1886
-.7pprored July 5, 1888.
Z An Act concerning coal used in the navigation OF
vessels by seam-.1pprOr'd July Z 1888
8 An Act concerning The security of the lives Of per-
sens on board Of vessels propelled in whole in part by
s,eam-.7pprored July 1888.
Q An Act concerning the importation Of iron steam
Loa,s-.4pyrOutd Jaiy :, 1893.
Information having been received by this Depart
ment, OF extensive frauds practised III OF the pn
cpa ports Of the u States furious in their effects 10
the public interests and those Of The honest trader with
view the future security Of the revenue from similar
attempts while just protection is afforded Ia The rights
aud interests Of the fair merchant it is strictly enjoned
upon oil the officers of the customs 10 exercise the ut
most vigilance in executing their duties under The laws
and the instructions Of the department.
The collectors al the several ports will see that.
each case of importation Of goods from abroad, sufh
cenl number Of packages Of each invoice is sent for
examination TO the appraisers, who on their part will be
equally careful that such examination is had as will
enable them 10 arrive at just conclusion as 10 line true
character and value Of the goods.
In the of anxious consideration Of the
nj
rIed aud establish uniformity Of practice in the
several collection Districts this Office has inquired into
the practice prevailing at the principal Por's and has
carefully reviewed the opinions previously expressed
special cases they occurred. in reference TO the
srucuon 10 be given 10 the several acts Of Congress n
posing duties
AS from this investigation, il is believed that in some
instances, decisions have been founded upon erroneous
statements 10 the matter Of fact essentially connected
with the question submitted IL is therefore expected that
in all future disputed connected with the revenue
the statements Of persons Interested in the decision of
questions submitted To this Office, will be transmitted
through the proper medium of The coectaPSf the Gus
toms, and will be accompanied by his official cxpann
tons and when necessary the reports Of the appraisers
The several descriptions of mPchondiz0 enumerated
in the suhoined list having, during its examination
been brought under the special notice of this Office many
OF them subjects of much diversity Of opinion and
conflicting decisions ii is deemed expsdient that lis
views should be given 10 their true character and
classification and consequent appropriate rate Of Duty
when any is imposed under tie laws.
Or SLK-In discriminating between the merchan
die classed under this head which is still liable duty,
and that exempted by Law, il is obviously proper and
necessary refer, cGnncxOn with The act of I'd March,
1888 10 former revenue laws and more especially 10 the
Of 18th July, 1872 BY this act duty Of five per
cenlum ad valOTem is imposed all manufactures Of
silk Of which silk is The componen, material of chief
value coming from this side Of The Cape Of Good Hcpe
except sewing silk.
This clause is indeed repaired by the act Of ID March,
1888 and the manufactures Of silk here alluded to-
DtPd bu, C Cf n
duty Of five per cenum upon this description of silk at
the same time imposes various other and higher rates
Of duty upon several articles Of merchandise Of what
ever material composed, among which are millinery, no.
Siery, and realty made ciothiny.
These articles. therefore, and all Others without refer
encs component materials, which, By their mercan
tile name appea'lon or description Congress has I'M
posed duties TO pay the duties specified,
while all other manufactures Of silk. or OF which silk
the component material Of chief value, coming from
this side the Cape Of Good Hope, except sewing silk,
are exempt from duty.
Among the articles excepted by Congress from the
general classification Of silk exempt from Duty the
following:
Seeing Sill under which generaterm lie included silk
t,ciS.
C,nJrelcs and pnrasc, Of whatever material composed
BY the act of IIih July, 1882, charged with duty Of
twenty five per centum.
SIX learp ElnHcis conprchenGed in the general term
hanres; by The uct Of l4h Jnly lS32, Liable 10 duty
of sixteen cents per squire yard.
Lace reS and lace Skais shades, by acts of 9th
April, 1916 ard 22i May, 1924 charged with duty Of
twelve and half per cenum
Ornaments for heat dress, caps for ac0men, and mill.
merry Of all kinds Of 'rhaerr material composed by act
of 4,h July, 1892 liable 10 duty Of twenty five per
cen,um
In this classification included hats, bonnels, che.
misees aprons, mauliI!as, shaws (of sk) pccrines,
collars capes cuffs, braids (muds up by hand) and &c.
morally all articles made up and known millinery
Ready made clothing, cuhom reference 10 MATERIAL be
ing BY the act Of l4,h July 1882. subjected to duty
al
wholly in part Of silk if made up clothing, and
properly coming under The nppeation used in the law
liable that duty but should be taken not to
include in The term ready made clothing, articles which
properly fall under the classification OF hosiery mill
merry
Under this head ii may be proper TO remark that n.
dco decision has DECLARED silk drawers and shirts to be
exempt from duty. That decision took place in the New
York circuit; and Us the Attorney Of the u S. did no,
take appeal from the decision to the Supreme Court
Of the u there remains other TO adopt than
TO refer the question 10 Congress, 10 continue
charge the duty and BY that have the question
carried up to the Supreme Court for final adjudication
Upon full consideration it is deemed best adopt the
former COURSE and leave 10 Congress the disposition Of
| the question.
| Or WooLLESs - The nc, of July Ii, 1892 imposes
duty of fifty per centum ad valorem on merno sha w
made Of wool, and all other manufactures Of wool
of which wool be component part, with the exception:
| which follow, viz:
Mis- gloves bindings, hosiery, charged with twenty
FIVE per ccntum carpets and carpeting twenty five pei
cen,um, except Brussels, Wilton and treble ngrainet
carpeting, charged with duty of sixty three pei
square yard and all other ngraned and Venetian
ing, charged with duty of thirty Eve cents per square
ward; Blankets charged with duty of twenty FIVE pei
centum except blankets The value Whereof at The place
from whence ported, shall not exceed seventy five
each which are charged with duty Of five per cent
| raiorem
Flannes bookings and baizes sixteen cents the square
! ward coach lace, tbriy.fve per centum ad vuorem
wooden yarn, four cents per pound, aud fifty per ceiun
| &C valorem.
Rugs Of wool and carpet bags liable manufacturer
of wool, the duty Of fifty per centum ad valorem.