New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-09-30
FRAUDS ON THE REVENUE.
Important Letter frsm che Secretary OF fhs
TrSnaury.

Important Letter frsm che Secretary OF the
TrSaaury.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Thursday, Sept "a, 1850.
SIR: In compliance with the resolution OF the
Senate, that the Secretary of the Treasury be
quested to report what have been the neasures
adopted 20 prevent fraudn upon the revenue, since
the paasage OF the act Of 1886 and what has been
the result" / have the honor to state that the
meaaureB which have been adopted by this De-
partment to prevent frauds upon the revenue, IN
der the present tariff act, may be found la the orr
cular instructions that issued TO collectors and
other officers of the customs before the act went
into operation, viz November IL, 26 and 80, 10 10,
and those issued since the lat December, 1885,
Upon reference to these oircu ars, it will be per
ceived that unusual apprehension was felt that I'M
der the change from specific duties to duties lsvied
upon the foreign value of imported merchandise,
there would be great temptation for the commission
of frauds by differentiation in the invoices and
entries, and In the circular of the 28sh November
1916, the determn alton of the Departments 10 on.
ercse it's whole power, under the law, to guard the
revenue OF the Government against fraud and IN.
dervaluation In invoices and entries, and TO main.
tain the business of importing in the hands of the
honest merchant and fair trader" The officers
were instructed 10 take the duties ia the goods i'm
ported, when there was reason to believe there
vas fraud or differentiation, to exact penalties,
and to make seizure In GASES authorised by law
and In the circulars OF the l1th and 26kh November
l646, their special attention called TO the pro.
yisiona contained in the Cd secsion Of the civil and
diplomatic appropriation act Of the 10th August,
1885, requiring that in appraisng all goods at any
port OF the United States heretofore subjected 10
specific duties, but upon which ad oaloren dutieg
are imposed by the act of 30h July, 1896 reference
shall be had 10 invoices and values OF similar eooda
imported In the laas fiscal year. under auch general
and Uniform regulations fer the prevention Of fraud
or differentiation, es shall be prescribed by the
Secretary Of the Treasury
Notwithstanding the instructions contained in
these circulars, Issued in advance of the operation
OF the act which commenced list December, 1916,
1t became necessary TO issue another 10 coliec-
tors, appraisers and other officers Of tbs custons
on the 9th July, le47, with rulea and regulations
In regard to appraisementg, In which Mr. 6ecrssay
Walker stated that :" this coarse was fsnaelsa
necessary by recent attempts upon she ~. hi
chant appraisers, in few Of the ports % 30 s,tsin
ted States, TO establish for themss"g ,1bolv in.
regulations in regard TO Rppralsems II il stated
consistent With law and Instruction. .,,nrsisa,s e.
that in some OF the ports there e he date NJ
innate the value of the goods az d;stsnt. and In
the purchase, however remote a. Aha date Of shio.
other Dorts they take the yalco de last ID ths tue
ment to the 0n ,n ~. long sInce declared By
conssfusn1n and adopted geners .nsoasnoes
sos qePaI."STnh1 IT, nroviso Of the ION seo1ion 0!
az. .e sot Of the goth Aususb ioa ILL., az ~.
emphatic npon to which the value TO be esti.
date IN t,e period of expectation 20 the Uaised
mated - and al words preceding in that section
sslse The settled ras Of nseFeesstg statutes
.arse BIO made TO conform 10 she guccesdlng Ian
nue. n the proviso. Thia would be the rula,
Sa ss II there was an absolute conaics between sha
syorda of the proyiso and Of any precedingpert Of
the 0ection-for sho language Of the proyiso being
the ast expressed viii of the legislature, mass
prevail. Were "a otherwise, the Law wgald pre-