Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-07-08
Getting "Luggage" Through.


Friend DAwsoY. of the Albany Evening
Journal. has gone TO the Worlds Fair, and
has written some very readable accounts of
the "Wonders of the deep" His last letter
gives an amusing account Of some of the
"wonders he got in his travels, among the
British Custom House Officers. II will be
seen that book-worms and tobacco worms
find nothing like free trade among the Brit
ishers. Of the Custom House doings he
writes:
Nearly all our passengers had from ono to
three hundred cigars each, and some ofus
moderate supply of John Colts tobacco.-
We found it impossible to learn on the ship
anything in regard to the quantity exempt;
but most of us were persuaded that we should
have good opportunity to learn.
After a tedious delay of two hours we had
the satisfaction to see our luggage in the
"Queen's Depot" The passenger list
call the roll. AS name was announced, the
person representing it passed in to the enclo-
sure, unlocked his trunks and handed them
over for the inspection of an examiner
Nearly every trunk contained tobacco in
some form, and one or more reprints of En-
glish books. The latter was unceremoni-
ously thrown aside, TO be burned. They are
not allowed to pass at any price. There
were not less than two hundred volumes of
this description The tobacco lin whatever
form was placed on scale, and if il weighed
over half a pound, it was subjected to duty
of nine shillings sterling per pound. All the
"old stagers'' seemed to understand this
None of them had more than the allowed
quantity in their trunks. If they were the
fortunate possessors of MORE il was slowed a
way in their coat pockets. My cigars weigh
ed pound and halt, upon which | had The
pleasure Of paying duty of fifteen shiings
sterling! l shall relish them hereafter.
One ofour fellow passengers, anxious 10 get
through pound of favorite fine cut, dstrib-
ued it in small parcels, in his coat pockets.
Those in his tight bodied overcoat, (which he
buttoned) projected more than was seemy
and attracted the attention Of one of the ca
gle eyed attaches Of the Custom House
The result was gentle tap on the shoulder,
and the following dialogue:
OHIcer.-Have you any tobacco about your
person, sir!
Tight Codt.-I have.
OGcer.-Will you please let me see itl
Tight t-Coat.-Certainly. Handing out
one of the parcels.
Officer. Have you any more about your
porsonl
Tight Coat.-Yes. [Handng out Soc
ond parcel
Ofcer.-This is contraband, and you have
subjected yourself to fine; but will not
report you. Handing back the parcels.
Tight Coat.-Thank you.
.Men-When you want to smuggle fine
cut tobacco, don't put it in the pocket of
tight bodied over-coat, or, if you do, don't
button the coat.
was entrusted with the bound volumes of
the several newspapers in the State. for the
Exhibition, They were very carefully pack
ed, in large box. / gave its contents, and
supposed that they would be permitted to go
through gratis. But the box was broken open,
the volumes unpacked, placed on the scales
and the duty assessed at 41d per ID. They
weighed, with the various public documents
and local pamphlets which accompanied them
some $50 or 200 lbs. This brought the duty
up prodigously, and protested against it.
At first, the examiner saw no remedy; but up
on appealing to a superior, he consented to
permit them TO pass on a valuation of some
800, This was more reasonable, and paid
the duty. If othor articles intended for the
exhibition have paid propGrtionally, as high
duty, the Revenues of the Kingdom will
show handsome figure the present year.
What appeared most unkind and unreason-
able was the duty exacted upon daguerreo-
types. None Of the passengers had moro
than three or four, and yet each had to pay
duty of from twenty-five to seventy five cts.
noticed that none of the young bachelors
had any duty to pay upon these articles.
inquired Of one of them. whom knew had a
picture of a young lady, how it happenea-
"Why." said he. laying his hand very ex-
pressively upon bis heart 81 never carry that
daguerreotype in my trunk" The young
lady, Of whom his picture was ''the counter
felt presenlmen,, had very long letter sent
to her by the first steamer.