The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-03
MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS.
THE GREAT MOVEMENT or THE AGE.

To the Secretary of the Treasmry:-'

Important Documents.
To the Secretary of the TreaSsry:-'
SIR: The government of Mexico having repeat
edly rejected the friendly overtures Of the United
States TO open negotiations with view to the re-
storaton OF peace, sound policy and Just rega I'd
to the interests OF our own country, require that
the enemy should be made, as far as practicable.
| to bear the expenses OF war, Of which they are
the authors, and which they obstinately persist in
protracting.
IL is the right ofthe conqueror to levy contri-
buttons upon the enemy, III their seaports towns,
or provinces, which may be in his military pos
session by conquest, and to apply the same TO de-
| fray the expenses of the war. The. conoueror
possesses the right also to establish temporary
military government over such seaports, towns
or provinces, and to prescribe the conditions and
restrictions upon which commerce with such
places may be permitted. He may, in his dis
erection, exclude all trade; or admit it without
limitation or restriction, or impose terms, the
observance ofwhich will be the condition of carry
ing it on. One of these conditions may be the
payment ola prescribed rate of duties on tonnage
and i'm ports.
In the exercise of these unquestioned rights OF
war, have, on full consideration, determined to
order that all the ports places in Mexico which
now are, or hereafter may be, in the actual
posses sion of our land and naval forces by con.
quesr, shall be opened, while our military &C.
cupaton NAV continue. to The commerce of all
neutral natons,as well as our own, in articles not
contraband OF wal, upon the payment of pre-
scribed rates of duties, which will be made known
| and enforced by our military and naval com.
mandeTs.
While the adoption of this policywll be to impose
den on the enemy, and at the same time 10
deprive them OF the revenue to be derived from
trade, at such ports or places, as well to secure
it to ourselves, whereby the expenses of the war
may be di minished-a just regard to the general
interest ofcommetce aud the obvious advantages
OF uniformity in the exercise of these beligerent
rights, requires that well-considered regulations
ri ho,,lA lav 1911 TO-
dance of those who may be charged with carrying
II into effect.
You are, therefore, instructed to examine the
existing Mexican tarih OF duties, and re- 1ort to me
schedule OF articles Of trade, to be admitted at
such ports or places as may at any time be in our
military possession, with such rates of duties Oh
them, and also on tonnage, will be likely to
produce the greatest amount of revenue. You
will also communicate the consider atons which
may recon- mend the scale of duties which you
may prepare, and will submit such regulations
as you may deem advisable, in order to enforce
their collection
AS the levy of the contribution proposed is n
military right, derived from the laws Of natio ms,
tho collection and disbursement of the duties will
be made under the orders OF the Secretary of War
and the Secretary of the NAVY, by the military and
naval commanders at the ports or places in Mex.
co which may be in possession of our arms. The
report required is, therefore, necessary in order
to enable me to give the proper directions to the
War and Navy Departments.
JAMES X. POLK
Washington, March %. 1s47
TREASURY DKPARrMrNr, March 30, ls47.
siR Your instructions of tho 2ad instant have been
received by this department. and in conformity thereto
present you herewith, for your confederation scale
OF duties proposed to be collected military contribu-
ton during the war in the ports Of Mexico possession
army or navy BY conquest with regulations for
with the reasons which appear to recommend their
| adoption.
1t clear that We must either adopt our own thrift or
al Our
own tariff could not be adopted because the Mexican
exports and imports are 50 different from our own that
different rates Of duties indispensable In order col
lect the lTgest revenue. Thus, upon many articles
produced 10 great abundance here, duties must be
posed at the lowest rate in order collect any revenue
whereas, many Of the same articles produced in
Mexico or TO very uncomfortable extent, and would
therefore bear there much higher duty for revenue
great change also rendered by the
exncon Of duties all imports to any Mexican port
by us in the same manner This MEASURE woulS lar
increase the Which might collect. II
commended however for reasons Of obvious safety that
this Mexican coastwise trade should be confined TO our
vessels as well as the interior trade above any port
Of entry in possession but that in all other respects
the ports OF Mexico held by US should be freely opened
the rae OF duties herein recommended to the Is
and commerce Of all tho world. The ad valore system
of duties adopted by although by far the most jus,
aud equitable yet requires an spprsisement to ascertain
the actual value OF every article. This demands great
mercantile skull knowledge end experience, and there
FORE for the want OF skful apprasersa class OF officers
wholly unknown in Mexico not at once be put
into successful operation there IT, also, as proposed
a
military contribution through the sicers Of our army
and navy, those brave men could easily perform
almost any other duty than that Of estimating the value
Of every description OF goods, wares. and
The system Of specific duties already prevails in Next
aod may be put by us into immediate opera,ion and
it, as conceded specific duties should be burden;
upon the people Of Mexico the more onerous the
operation ofthsse due. upon them the Is il IKE
~ that they will foroe their mil iiary rulers agree TO
peace. tits certain that mild and orbearing stem of
warsre collecting duties In their ports our posses
sion the Gulf and levying contributor g. whilst
armies purchase supplies from ,hem high prices
by rendering the wsr benefit to the people Of Mexico
rather than injury has not hasensd the conclusion Of
peace II may BE- however, that specific duties oner
BY vigorous prosecution Of the war, may more speedily
insure that peace which have failed to obtain frt m
magnaninoN for clearance, from brilliant Victories or
from preferred negotiation The duties however whilst
hey may be specific and therefore moro onerous I'M
I'D vsorsm sutics, SHOULD not be high to dcfest
revenue
1t isimpossble to adopt as basis tho tariff of Mexico
portson. commerce, and revenue and producing innu
merab!c frauds and tmuggling There olso sixty
ucies the importation OF which into Mexico 10 strictly
prohibited by their tariff embracing most of the nece
ares Of c and far the greater portion Of products
Among the sixty prohibited articles are sugar rice,
couon, boots, and halt boots coffee, nails OF ell kinds,
Oh oil Kinds common earthenware lard moIasses, tim.
per OF all Kinds, saddles Of all kinds woolen
cloth cloths for coaks ready made clothing OF ell kinds
SALT tobsoco OF all kinds cotton goods or textures chief
~ such rs are made by ourselves pork fresh salted
smoked or corned wooen cotton blankets counter
panes shoes and sppers wheat and grain OF all kinds
Sucn "a ist OF but part Of the articles whose mpora
In nEAh In