The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-03-14

Al vi same year ending LIST July, l644,
veaSEuea imported from the United
States OF their productions the value OF 779,OOO
And exported of her products to the Uni
LED States, the value of l,7l7,OCO
Les' ng balance against the United
Slstss In favor OF Venezuela Of $4,000
Il aus appears that during the last four years,
Venezuela has imported from Great Britain
cess yer her exports to that nation of w. OOO
whiA she has exported, of her own production, to
the nited State, an excess over her imports from
theme Of not less than 49, 2l8,000
at this result should be procured by the existing
commercial regulations of these nations respectively,
IS b, no means strange and it may be regarded as
undtpabe proof of friendship and forbearance, that
the gernment aud people of the United States have
reciprocity, in the tariff laws of this country towards
The United States, and more especially, as the exist
ing aty between the two nations as lis basis
an siire reciprocity in trade and commerce..
livew OF the TACT, that the UoIted States admit,
FREE duty, the most valuable staple product of Ven
ezucla (cofee), and that they have imposed duty,
not exceeding SIX per cent! upon the other important
predictions Of this country, the undersigned might,
wih much force and propr'ety, urge upon this go
vesnGsht corresponding raie Of duties on North
American productions but, the government OF the
United States seeks only to have s citizens placed on
footing of eq,Glitp with those of other nations, IN
respect to their trade with Venezuela, and will be
content if this government shall place them on this
footing by reduction of the present duties upon
their products TO similar general ad valOIem, or 10
proportionate specific andard
The undersigned assures Mr.. Manrique that the
government of the United States does not entertain
the belief, that this government Designed in the adj
justnent of its tariff Of duties to discriminate, in fla
OF any other nation, to the prejudice of the Uni
ted States. Ii is inferred rather that in fixing the
specific duties charged upon the productions Of
the United States above named, (instead OF general
ad vaorem dutes) the value Of those articles in the
United States, was not correctly ascertained.
Connected with this subject, the undersigned takes
the occasion 10 advert to another source OF complaint
to citizens of the United States, engaged ID CONNER
cal transactions with this country.
With the professed purpose OF furnishing attempts
tosmuggle foreign goods into this Republic the laws
thereof require captains of vessels entering its ports
to furnish manifes,s Of their cargoes, the
Vessels boarded by the custom house officers; and
they Unable fifty dollars and costs for each and
every error which may be discovered herein nor ID
any opportunity afforded for the correction If errors,
which may be unintentionally committed. IT. for ex-
ample the manifest Of the cargo furnished by the cap
tain exhibits thereon 100 barrels Of apples, an article
mol dutiabe) audit turns out that only 80 barrels
the custom house, if lOl barrels should be
sent, the captain Is Unable $50 and costs!
The reason for imposing such penalty, for such
error, and especially in relation to article
not duliabe, the undersigned has not been able To
discover
An instance has occurred, and which has been
brought to Ihe knowledge of the undersigned where,
during the voyage, the captain (his provisions falling
shorty having nude use of barrel of flour which
was part OF his cargo. presented his manifest, contain
ing the full number oi barrels Originally Shipped
The nife-t was delivered to the custom house Off
Ger, and The -four (ess The one barrel used) taken
to the custom house according to law.
Application was Immediately made by the con-
sgDee of the -four, in behalf of the Captain, to
plain and correct the error; but it was refused and
the Jine and costs eracted and paid These ex-
aDples of the operation Of the law illustrate
the causes grounds of complaint, and to show that
some amendment is proper. The undersigned may be
pardoned The suggestion that instances of the en-
iore0ment OF these extraordinary penalties, in such
and similar cases, would. perhaps, be rare, if
the mistakes OF the unfortunate Captains not,
by law allowed to swell the emoluments Of the Gus
tom House officers!
The undersigned cannot suppose that the Govern
ment of this enlightened Republic intends to punish
uninentional errors and harmless mistakes in like
manner as crimes are properly punishable. Where
purpose to evade the revenue laws of the country is
NANTES ed no exemption from the operation Of those
laws however rig rous) would be asked by the I'M
dersgned in behalf OF his countrymen but the un.
designed (most respectfully and cheerfully) submits
to Mr.. Manrique the question, whether error OBJ
viously unintenona-an error producing mis-
chief and which the most careful man is liable
sometimes To comm,t--should, in this enlightened
age and under this liberal Government be punished
crime
The undersigned desires to be distinctly understood
moi claiming the right to interfere with the Custom
House laws and regu ations of this country never.
theless, he feels il to be biz duty TO present the
plants made by his countrymen on the subject eav.
ing il to the wisdom and justice OF this Government
10 make ouch changes, il any, as their own Of
property may prompt. The undersigned will add,
that the Revenue Laws of the United States allow
reasonable time for the correction Of errors in mani
tests Of cargoes, and very properly (as the under
signed thbks) discriminate in the imposition of pen.
allies between Cases where attempt IS obviously
made TO evade those laws and cases where no such
purpose is evidenced.
In view of the present and prospective importance
Of the trade between tht Two Republics-of the iDte
both nations have, IN preserving their present sm
cable rea ioDs-of the ben, hs and sdvan age, each
would realize, from extensive commercial inter-
course-snd of he Improbabhy, that they ever csl he
ripais Except IN he glory of advancing and perpeu
aling Republican principles the undersigned earn
esty requests, in behalf of ms government, that Mr.
Msnnque will cause the questions herein presented
to be n,aturcy considered, 10y TIA, government OF We
nezuels.
The undersigned avails himself Of this occasion, to
renew TO Mr. Manrigue the assurances of his high
regard and distinguished consideration.
NESPASIAN ELLIS.