The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-12

ihPuitaH'e render decision upon lneIn ma
UNDERSTANDING, extremely desirable.
These Sound dues are moreover, in addition TO Thu
port charges Of lighi-money assmoney, &c, which
are quite equal TO the charged at other places
and the payment Of which, together with the Sount
dues often causes 10 vessels delay al Esi
| more. s~
| The port charges which are usual among all nation
TO whose ports vessels resort unobectiopable,
cep that, as in this case they consequence
ofthe imposition Of the Sound dues, following, neces
sarlly upon the compulsory delay at Elsnore of YES
sells bound up and down the Sound with cargoes with
no Intention OF making any importation into any poi
oil Denmark, and having no other occasion for delay
at Elslnofe than that which arises from the neces
SHY OF paying the Sound dues and, in so doing, IN
| mands.
These part duties would appear 10 have some reason
~ themi because of the equivalent; while, in fact
they are made requisite with the exception perhaps
oil the expense Of lights by the delay necessary for thu
| payment OF the Soand dues
ne amount of our commerce with Denmark, direct
70 inconsderable compared with that of our transac
Tons with Russia, Sweden, and the ports of Prussia
and the Gcrmanic Association the Balti;; but thu
| sum annually paid to that Government in Sound dues
and the consequent port charges by vessels alone
Is estimated at something hundred thousan,
dollars
The greater proportion ofths amount is paid by tn,
articles OF cotton sugar, tobacco, ana rice the mrs
and last of these paying duty of about three per cent
| N''N''
| they come.
BY list published at Elsinore in 1910, it appear.
that between April and November of that year, seven
ty-two American vessels, comparatively small mum
ber lowered their topsals before the castle of Cron
berg. These were all bound up the Sound to ports
on the Baltic with cargoes composed In part OF the
above named products, upon which alone, according
to the tariff was paid sum exceeding forty thousand
dollars for these dues.
Having disposed of these cargses they returned la
den with the usual productions ohe countries on the
Baltic on which, in like manner, paid duties on
going out through the Sound again acknowledging the
tribute by an nconvenient and sometimes hazardous
ceremony.
The whole amount thus paid within period OF
eight months on inward and outward bound cargoes
by vessels of the United States of which were
bound for, or intended stop at any port in Denmark
except compusorily at Esinore, for the purpose Of
complying with these exactons, must have exceeded
the large sum above named.
have therefore, thought proper 10 bring this sub
Ject before you at this ime and to 90 into these gene
raj statements in relation it, which might be carried
more into detail and suhstantiated by documents now
at the Department the end that, if you should deem
1t exPedent Instructions may be given to the repesen-
tatve Of the United States at Denmark TO into
| friendly negotiations with that Government with a
view OF securing to the commerce of the United States
full participation in any reduction of these duties, or
the benefits resulting from any arrangements re-
specting them which may be granted to the commerce
of other States.
The other object which, in the opinion of the Sc
cretary demands the early consideration OF the Gov
eminent, is the Germanic Association Customs
Union, established in Germany, and now in success
fu operation under the leading auspices of the Gov
eminent OF Prussia This important Association has
for its objects the union ofmany of the German States
into one body for the purpose of establishing uniform
reg ulations of commerce; uniform duties OF impora-
ton, expectation, and transit system Of uniform
weights and measures, and uniform coinage through
all the members of the Association objects
bling, will be perceived, important purposes con-
tempated by the establishment Of the General Govern
ment of the United States
In all these States of the Association the greatest
variety and diversity had previously existed Each had
its own circle of custom houses, and its peculiar sys-
tenn of duties, constituting them in these respects for
cign countries to another. The effect of these d.
versles upon trade and manufactures may easily be
supposed 10 have been highly prejudcia to the gener
al commerce of the country
To Prussia who had labored for years to bring
about this commercial revolution in Germany, chiefly
belongs the credit OF It's accomplishment She had uni
ted the members Of the confederation in treaty which
establishes tariff for ALL the duties to be collected
on the frontiers Of what forms great CONNER
cial league. The nett revenues arising from the du-
ties divided among the several States in proportion
their respective amounts of population, every article
salt and playing cards excepted having paid the
duties the frontier being permitted TO circulate Tree
ly among all the States of the Union without any adj
dltional impost.
The treaty concluded in 1884, and was to CONT
nue. force until the LIT Of January lS42 and If during
that term and al latest two years before It's expiration,
the contrary should be declared for twelve years
more and afterwards from twelve years totwelve years
has recently under these provisions, been renewed
Tor another of twelve years. The effect OF this
confederation has probably been TO give TO Prussia and
Germany a weight in the political balance Of Eu
rope; but it is principally interesting to the United
States in commercial tendencies, and in the hopes
which it encourages Of furnishing an enlarged con
sumption some of the staple articles of our produc-
ton such as cotton, tobacco and nee. The German
Commercial and Customs Association comprises an
ample territory Astounding in wealth, industry, popua-
ton and of every description The States
included in it are
States. Population