The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-03
OFFICIAL.
contributions through nI,alean Port.

SIR: Being charged by the constitution with the prose
cution OF the existing with Mexico, deem it prop
en- in the exercise of undoubted belgeren right
der that military contributions be levied upon the enemy
IN such OF their ports other places are, may
be hereafter, in the possession of land and naval
forces by conquest and that the same be collected and
applied towards deirayng the expenses of the As
means OF etecng this object, the blockade at such
conquered ports Will be raised and they will be opened
to commerce and that of all neutral nations
articles not contrabanl of war; during military
patton OF them and duties on tonnage and imports will
be levied and collected through the agency OF militia
ny and naval officers in command at such ports acting
under orders from the War and Navy Departments.
transmit to you herewith, for your information and
guidance copy of communication addressed by me to
the Secretary of the Treasury the 23d instant, in
sructing him to examine the existing Mexican tariff and
to report TO me- for my considerations scale OF duties
which he would recommend to be levied tonnage and
imports such conquered ports, together with such reg
ulaons he would propose necessary and proper, in
order to carry this policy into effect and also copy of
the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, made the
Both instant, in answer TO my communication TO him
The scale of duties, and the regulations for their coec
ton military contributions exacted from the enemy.
by the Secretary OF the Treasury this
report, have been approved By me.
You WILL after consulting with the Secretary OF War,
TO concert of action between the War AMI
Navy Departments issue the necessary orders to carry the
measure proposed into immediate effect
JAMES X POLK
WASHINGTON, March 81, lsi7.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, April Sd, 1917
SIR have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt of
your communication of the 3ls March, ult., with the
papers which accompanied it; and respectfully inform
you, that after consultation with the Secretary of War;
have addressed the Officers commanding the naval
forces of the United States in the Pacific and in
III EuH of rpsnpctiVply letters
conforming to your directions, OF which herewith en-
close copy
have the honor TO be, very respectfully, your obe
dent servant, j. Y. MASON.
To the PRESIDENT.
Navy DEPARTMENT, April 3, ls47.
Sir: On the receipt OF intelligence of the military
quest and occupation OF California by the forces of the
United States Commodore Stockholm in command on that
station was instructed, by orders from this department
undes date of the 9Th November last to admit the COM
OF citizens and OF neutras, excluding con
traband into such ports and places We're in actual mil
itary occupation, the payment OF moderate duties,
within the limits prescribed by the tariff laws OF the
United States After the occupation of Maamoros, and
subsequently, of Tampco, instructions were given in re-
gard to the import and export trade OF those places By
those instructions the import trade was confined to carT
goes in American bottoms, which had paid duties in a
house of the United States and which, without
drawback. cleared transhipped to one OF the
ports occupied by forces Mexico still obsnately
refuses negotiate for the restoration OF peace The
President has determined to place the trade OF all sucn
ports and places OF the enemy, in the Pacific ocean and
the Gulf of Mexico may be IN our actual mill,
ary occupation, footing more favorable to neutral
commerce and better calculated to contribution
to be used in carrying the war, and in relief Of our
own treasury The considerations which have induced
the President to direct this order in the exercise OF
begeent right ere fully stated in the papers, copies oil
which are herewith enclosed He has awaited himself Of
the commercial knowledge and practical acquaintance
With the subject of trade OF the Secretary OF tbs Treasury
and the officers attached the Treasury Department for
the details Of his orders through the War and Navy De-
partrnents, for military duty, under an acknowledged
right of war. AS the Commander. ih-chief Of the
makes it obligatory You in carrying his orders
into effect They derive authority from the Treasury
Department which has control the subject, but
having been examined and adopted by the President ne
has determined TO cause them 10 be carried into effect by
the officers OF the army and navy IN the occupation q
such portions OF the ene9ys territory Thus adopted
notice OF the terms on which their trade will be admitted
and our officers furnished with safe guide, to proec,
them against the consequences Of want OF practcai
knowledge and the confusion incident to want OF uni
| formity and system.
In conformity to his directions, now instruct you to
cause the system to be carried into effect with due OBJ
rates OF duty prescribed and of the regulations prepared
at the Treasury Inepartmcnt, which have received the
Presidents approval In regard TO the regulations
deem it necessary only 70 add to this general reference
that you will give to the thirteenth liberal nterpreta-
ton. The policy of the whole system is to obtain con-
ibuton from the people of Mexico, by the imposition OF
eYactlOn from tnem anu ii IS desired
our own brave officers soldiers sailors and marines shall
bear part of this burden The article has been care
fully prepared to protect these mertorlous men from any
increase of price by of the duty, and you Will, IN
in its execution, construc as to accomplish this re-
suit without giving to the suffers the actual benefit oil
drawback articles not sold to own officers and
men tor their use.
Where port or place s in possession and is gar
risoned by land force, the commanding officer of which
is below the rank of colonel, the duty Of collecting
and accounting for the duties will be performed under
his authority and direction the naval force present afford
duties. AT all other ports where naval force is present
the duty will be performed by the senior naval officer
present. under your direction but II in your operations
against the enemy by stress OF weather other accl-
dent the naval force is Withdrawn, the performance OF
this duty will devove the highest army officer duty
whatever may be his rank When you have reason to
believe that the public service will be best subserved by
such at any particular port where under 'hese
instructions the naval officer present would be authorized
to act you will, by orders to such naval officer, direct
that he shall leave the performance OF the duty IN the
hands of the army officer in command OF such port OF
| place.
You will use the most digen to see that the mon
eys collected by officers under your command are account
ed for and paid at short intervals according to inc
regulations for public use to the pursers or isbursne
officer Of the army, where may best promote the public
interest by paying oyer to one or the other lou VIII re-
qure thai the receipts Of the officer to whom such pay
ment shall be made properly atsested as vouchers
You will cause separate weekly accounts IN deiah 10 d
returned to you, showing the receipts, from whom ant
for what and the payments OF money by the olcers n
der your command respectively charged with he coiiec
ton of duties and transmit to this department after you
approval, such accounts; with general statement
| least once month.
The disbursng officers to whom the moneys collected
may be paid will be required 10 settle separate accounts
and be held to strict accountability for the same ~