The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-06

TRADE WITH CUBA AND PoRTo RICo.-An
interesting report from the Treasury Depart
ment has been made, in answer 10 resolution
of the Senate, on The subject of the trade ofthe
United States with the Islands of Cuba, and
Porto Rico. The commerce with those isiauds
is of great Importance, not only TO the mer-
camille community, but also 10 the agrcultu-
raj and manufacturing interests of The country.
The report shows that in consequence of the
difierential import duties levied by Spain ON
vessels from the United States, as well as
other countries, Congress, in 1884. passed
retuliatory act, by which Spanish vessel
proceeding from the United States to Cuba
must, previous to clearing, pay an export
duty, under the name of tonnage duty, equal
to the difference of duty which the different
articles comprising her cargo would pay it
imported into Cuba in an American vessel
This act has thrown into the hands of Ameri-
can ship-owners nearly or quite the entire
trade between those islands and the U. States,
but has il flicted much more severe injury
upon the interests of the United States Than
any possible advantages which may be thus
derived from the exclusive employment of
our tonnage. Nothing but bulky articles, and
those of prime necessiiy. and which, from the
proximity of the Unit States, can be had
more promptly and adsantageously here, are
now furnished from our ports by our vessels.
Other descriptions Of goods are now almost
exclusively obtained by those colonies from
Europe; tor, if shipped from hence in Ameri-
can vessels, they would pay the additional
duty on clearing from an American port
Greut Britain and other European nations
have preferred to furnish the supplies of their
produce or manufactures, by allowing the
Spanish flag to he the carriers of il aud the
advantages TO their industry and wealth in fur
nishing the merchandise far outweigh the
mere profit on the freight hich remains after
the expenses connected with it are deducted.
The report is accompanied with number OF
tables, showing the extent of our commerce
with Cuba and Porto Rico, and its character,
which 60 10 sustain the view taken by the
Secretary of the Treasury, and which will
probably lead to the repeal or modification
of the act referred to.
A FEMALE SHIP CAPTAIN.-Amongst the
fleet wind bound in Iamlash last week, not
least, but perhaps the greatest wonder, was
the good old brig Cletus, Of Salcoats, which,
for more than twenty years, has been CON-
manded by an heroic and exceedingly clever
lady, Miss Betsy Miller, daughter of The late
WIN. Miller, esq, shipowner and wood mrch-
ant Of that town. He was concerned with seve-
raj vessels, both in the American and coasting-
trade. Miss Betsy, before she went TO sea,
acted as "ship's husband" to her father; and,
seeing how the captain in many cases behaved, |
her romantic and adventurous spirit impeiied |
her to go to sea herself.
Her father gratifed her caprice, and gave her |
the command of the Cletus, which she holds TO |
the present day, and she has weaihered the
storms Of the deep when many commanders OF
the other sex have been driven TO pieces on the |
rocks. Her position and attitudes on ihe quar- |
ier-deck in gale of wind are often spoken oi, |
and would do credit 10 an admiral. We must
NOT omit to state that during the long period |
of this singular young LADY, diversified voyag- |
ing, no seaman Of her crew, or officer under her |
command, could speak otherwise OF her than
with the greatest respect. The Cletusi Is wen
known n the ports Of Belfast, Dublin, Cork,
&c., &c. She has often been driven INTO th,s
loeb, and is Familiarity known among he Tude
Highland boaismen as "lnioig laish Captnin
borin, e.. the snip with the she captain
Scotch paper.
MARRIAGE OF THE BELLE OF BosToS.Ion
the 3lst uli.. Miss Maria Ward. the belle oi
Boston, daughter of Robert G. Shaw, was
married 10 son Of The Hon. David Sears. 80
Intense was the desire to get glimpse o. ths
fair bride, thai The police bad 10 be stationed
along the avenues leading to the church, 70
keep back the cfnwd.
Asieamship OF 1000 tons y 70 be construct.
ed for the purpose Of testing the ability o.