The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-15
The DaHeulsies In the Elbe-Thc stadc Dues
As,>aszAcan TSnsu,xsaaxee.

Ae the commerce OF the United states IN
creases in magnitude and value, its special inte
rests become more and more the anxiety Of Anne
rican diplomacy. We have virtually disposed Of
the claims Of Denmark to levy Sound duties in
the Baltic, and now we are scrutinizing those Of
Hanover, which taxes commerce on the Elbe.
The charges made by this petty government upon
vessels entering that river under the pretext that
they are levied for the purpose Of sustaining its
buoys, beacons and lighthouses, amount annually
to about one hundred AMI sixty thousand dollars,
while the only real disbursements for the purpose
are made by the city Of Hamburg. At least,
such is the statement which comes to US from that
| quarter. These Stade duties are authorized by
many interested in the navigation of the river,
and take their name from the province of Stadc,
having geographical area of one hundred and
| twenty-five miles, four towns, and about % 600
| inhabitants. The EIbe-which is its northeast
ern boundary-is one Of the greatest rivers ia
! Europe. rising among the great mountains OF
silesia, and emptying into the North Sea, after
running distance OF seven hundred miles, at :
place called Cuxhaven, a bailiwick OF Hamburg
Here the Elbe pilots board the inward bound
vessels to take them no to Hamburg; but
before they reach this port these Stale
duties have to be paid 10 Hanover.
These tolls, thus exacted under the pretcnce Of
maintaining the navigation OF the Elbe, are not
so applied; on the contrary, the efforts for is
Improvement, during its courseto the ocean Srom
the city Of Hamburg, a distance Of ninety nahes,
have been made by that city-it alone keeps mp
the pilot system for the riye--ani IL any one, 10
has the only ri sht TO collect the necessary tolls.
The consequence Of al this Is, tina. . little Har
noverian town, called Harbu-g. j. growing up
at the expense Of Hamburg, and being seven
miles south or above that city, cuts Of much 81
the descending trade. Vessels entering there
from the sea are exemp. from the payment Of the
Stade duties, and thus receive bounty for avoid
ing Hamburg. Now, as the Elbe il river open
to the commerce Of the world, as Hamburg is the
greatest commercial city Of Germany, and cs its
trade with the United States within few years
has risen to very great importance, it has become
serious consideration with that free city how it
may henceforward escape the restrictions put
upon it's commerce by Hanover, and which in this
case are an unjust discrimination IN favor OF Q
rival town. The whole commercial policy Of
Hamburg is liberal. The imposts levied on 70
reign importations are small; many articles Of
value are, we understand, admitted free of duty;
such, for example, as corn, yarn, linen, copper
and books. 1t is eminent for its enterprise, ac-
tivity, liberality and wealth, and is considered
by travellers as one of the most agreeable places
Of residence in the whole North Of Germany.
Situated upon the Elbe, where it is three miles
wide, and intcrspersed with beautiful islands,
with fine ramparts, walks and drives, numerous
public libraries, a great variety Of agreeable
places Of amusement, a republican form Of 60
vernment, and numerous lines Of steamers to
every part of Northern Europe, Hamburg stands
deservedly primus inter pqres.
The recent movement, then, on the part Of our
government to abolish the Hanoverian Stade du-
ties has awakened the most lively pleasure among
its merchants. The American Consul has been
instructed by Mr.. Marcy, Secretary Of State, to
ascertain the amount Of dues received by Hanover
during the last ten years. to send in special List
Of the lighthouses, signals, beacons and buoys
kept up by Hamburg, together with the amount
annually expended in keeping them in an eff
cient state; and to inquire whether the Senate Of
Hamburg is prepared 10 support the United
States in opposing the further payment Of the
Stade dues and if so, TO what extent.
This country being no party to the convention
of ls4i, is not bound by its stipulations, and Is
unwilling to submit to duties levied upon its
commerce in transit, where the right to impose
them is not conformable to the law Of nations, or
exercised under treaty stipulations to which we
are party.
II is said that the Hanoverian Ministers are
much disturbed by this unexpected dcmonstra-
ton. Their revenues are none too large-their
commerce IL rather small. Meanwhile, the other
commercial Powers interested in the commerce
of the Elbe look on with no little interest. Our
gain will be theirs, but theirs much moro than
ours. England and France win be particularly
pleased with the action OF our government, and
will have to confess that our intelligent CONNER
cial diplomacy is not only beneficial to ourselves
but TO the world The value Of the annual CON-
merce of Hamburg is estimated at one hundred
and fifty millions of dollars. The number of tons
yearly entering its port Is half million, the in
crease having been one hundred and twenty-five
per cent within thirty years. Every commercial
article in the world is bought and sold in it, marts
II has extensive connections with the United
States, and particularly with this city; and this
fortunate circumstance Qor fortunate 1t is) will
eventuatc in the overthrow Of those unjust re-
strictions on its commerce which Of itself II has
been, and probably would be, unable 10 shake of.
MryicnAL ArrnRs.-We hope the people Of
the city and the Legislature Of the State will
not forget the report Of the Committee on the De
par,ncnt Of Repairs and Supplies. II Is not often
that ono is able to get so clear glimpse Of the
inside working Of municipal Office. Butchers
doing the glazing, barkeepers the carpenters
work, apothccaries apprentices the wcll-cleaning;