The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-09
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, May 6, ls43.

Sin Your letter of the Goth utmo, on the subject
of the instructions given you respecting the publish
Of newspapers taking copies of maniiests, is
ceived. j have also seen in newspaper of your
city, that meeting of the Chamber of Commerce
has been held, at which resolutions passed dis
approving the instructions. While entertain pro-
found respect for the sentiments Of tn intelligent
merchants Of New Orleans cannot but express some
surprise at the views they 49, ain. communication
was received by me fron1 Merchant of your city,
complaining Of the practice of having his maniiests
made public. Manifests and invoices are TO all in
tents private papers, except far the laws subject
them TO the inspection of public officers for the purpose
of executing the revenue laws. The officers of the
customs have authority to open boxes, casks, pack
ages, Sc, for the like purposes. Private citizens not
directly interested, claim more right TO in
spect the papers of an individual for their own con-
venience information, than they might claim to
examine his casks, boxes and packages. And it
seemed to me that every individual merchant was
deeply interested in maintaining the nviolabilty Of
his private transactions, as an absolute right Still
| was aware of the practice that seemed to prevail
in some cities, and loresaw that IA step which az
peared to inerpose any obstacle to the Unsuitable and
soot"es hoio'u cuIioslt1 Oi INC colltclOIs OF news
for the daily press, would receive no indulgence
! from that source. Inquiry was therefore made of
the Oldest and most experienced clerks IN this Office
who reported that the practice had always been dis
allowed when brought to the notice Of the Depart
ment. Officers Of Custom houses in other places who
were here, informed that copies Of manifests were
never allowed to be taken, when objected to- And
you STATE that at your Custom-house the rule has been
that "when a shipper owned the whole cargo and
iutimaied desire that the manifest should not be
published, his wishes have invariably been complied
with" ] need not remark that the whole principle
! is involved in the rule stated by YOU.
The in, tructons Of the 18th April were not in
tended to apply any cases other than those in which
the shipper complained Of the publication Of his
manifest On recurring TO the instructions, however,
perceive that they do not so clearly express this mi-
talion, as they might, my directions for them did
You will, therefore, consider the direction not to all
low copies Of manifestes TO be taken for publication
as applying only 10 those cases where the shipper
has expressed, or may express his unwillngness to
have such copies taken. II is certainly not the duty
Of this Department Of the officers Of the customs
to prevent any gentleman from causing or allowing
publicity TO be gwen to any business in which he
may be engaged. This modification will operate on
the original instructions from their date But be
fore permitting the publication Of mauifests present
ed at your Office since the receipt of the INSTRUCTIONS
of April 18th, you will allow reasonable time, say
one or two days for those who dissent from such