The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-06
CONTRIBUTIONS
THROUGH THE MEXICAN PORTS.

TO the Secretary Of the Nary:-
SR:-Beng charged by the constitution with the pro-
secution Of the existing with Mexico deem it pro-
in the exercise of undoubted begeren right to
order that military contributions be levied upon the
enemy in such Of their ports other places
be hereafter in the possession OF our land and
naval forces by conquest and that the same be collected
applied towards defrayng the expenses Of the
As of eectng this object, the blockade at
such conquered ports will be raised, and they will be
opened and that Of all neutral
tions in articles not contraband Of during mi
ltsry occupation of them; and duties tonnage and
imports will be levied and collected through the agency
of our military and naval officers in command at such
ports acting under orders from the War and Navy De-
partments
transmit to YOU herewith for your information and
guidance copy off communication addressed by me 10
the Secretary of the Treasury on the 23d instant IN
structing him to examine the existing Mexican tariff
and to report to for consideration, scale of du
ties which he would recommend to be levied on tonnage
and imports in such conquered ports together with such
regulations he would propose necessary and proper
in order to this policy into effect and also copy
of the report of the Secretary of the Treasury made
the 3oth inst in to my communication to him.
The scale of duties and the regulations for their coec
ton military contributions exacted from the enemy
recommended by the Secretary Of the Treasury In this
report, have been approved by me.
You will after consulting with the Secretary OF War;
concert of action between the War and
NAVY DEPARTMENTS issue the necessary orders to
the measure proposed into immediate effect po,
WAsnlSo1os March 81, ls47
Navy DEPARTMENT April Sd, l847.
SRI have the honor to acknowledge the receipt Of
your communication Of the 3lst March, ut with the
u
you that after consultation with the Secretary Of War
have addressed TO the officers commanding the naval
forces Of the United States In the Pacific and in
the Gulf of Mexico respectively letters Of instruction
conforming to your directions of which herewith en-
have the honor to BIO, very respectfully your ODE
dent servant, j. Y. MASON.
To the PRESIDENT
Navy DEPARTMENT. April g. lSi7.
srR--On the receipt Of intelligence Of the military CON
quest and occupation of California by the forces Of the
United States Commodore Stockton in command that
station instructed by orders from this department
under date the 9Th November last, to admit the
merce Of our own citizens and neutras excluding
traband into such ports and places were in actual mil
itary occupation on the payment OF moderate duties
United States After the occupation OF Matamoras and
subsequently Of Tampico instructions were given in re-
gard to import trade Of those places BY
those instructions the import trade confined to car
goes in American bottoms which had paid duties in
custom house of United States and which, without
drawback we're cleared transhipped to one OF the
ports occupied by our forces Mexico still obstnatcy
refuses to negotiate for the restoration OF peace Inc
President has determined to place the trade of all such
ports places Of the enemy in the Pacific ocean and
the Gulf of Mexico or may be In our actual mill
tary occupation on footing favorable to neutral
and better calculated to secure contribution
own treasury The Considerations which have induced
the President to direct this order in the exercise OF
beigcrent right fully stated in the papers copies Of
which are herewith enclosed He has availed himself Of
the commercial knowledge and practical acquaintance
with subject of trade of the Secretary of the Treasury
and the officers attached to the Treasury Department
for the details of his orders through the War and Navy
Departments for military duty, under an acknowledged
right of As the commander n-chief OF the army
and navy he has approved the schedule and makes 1t
obligatory on you In carrying his orders into effect
They derive no authority from the Treasury Depart
examined and adopted by the President he mas de-
termned them to be carried into effect by the
officers of the army and navy in the occupation OF such
portions Of the snemys territory. Thus adopted and
made public own citizens and neutrals have fun
notice Of the terms which their trade will be admitted
and our officers furnished with safe guide to protect
them against the consequences Of want Of practical
knowledge and the confusion incident to want OF uni
formity and system.
In conformity to his directions now instruct you to
the system to be carried into effect with due OBJ
eryance of schedule of articles to be admitted Of the
rates duty prescribed and Of the regulations prepared
the Treasury Department which have received tho
Presidents approval In regard to the regulations
deem necessary only to add to this general reference
that you will give to the thirteenth aibcral intcrprcta
ton The policy of the whole system is TO obtain
tributon from the people Of Mexico by tho imposition
Of indirect exacon from them and 1t desired that
cur own brave officers soldiers sailors ana marines,
carefully prepared to protect these mcrtorious men from
any increase price by Of the duty and you
IN It's execution construe IL to accomplish this %
suit without giving TO the suffers the actual benefit OF
drawback on articles not sold to own officers and
for their
Where port or place is in possession, and is gar
risoned by land force the commanding oiccr of which
and accounting for the duties will be reformed under
his authority and direction the force present af
of the duties At all other ports where naval force ia
present the duty will be performed by senior naval
officer present nder your direction but in your ope-
other accident the naval force Is withdrawn the per
ormance of hi duty will devove on the highest army
to believe that the public service will be best
subervcd by such at any particular port
under these ns tructions the naval officer present woul
De authorized to act, you will by orders to such
officer direct that he shall leave the performance Of tn
duty in the Hands Of the army officer in command
such port or place.
iou viii use the most vdiligent care to see that tn
nJncys collected by onacers under your command ar