The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-07
Imposition OH American Vessels In French
Ports.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
HANsE, June 3, 1856.
The remarks yorr paper Of the 27,h May last,
cernng the mposAons American ships subjected %
in French ports, met my eye, and one interested and
who has means OF knowing, furnish you with few
acts in support Of the statement you made.
II is well known by those connected with the trade
that all American ships for the past years have been
made 10 pay Havre besides the duty Of five francs per
ton, according 10 treaty, another Of seyentyive
cenmes per tcn which is not according TO treaty. and
against which government should protest
This seventy ceD2mes per ton is exacted by the
city authorities Of ayre under the preeRce that will
be expended in amelora,ng the condition Of the port,
which IS bad enough as many american shpmasters and
testify who have had their vessels damaged
IN consequence OF the want of suitable accommodates
for them in il, without speaking OF the neiency OF the
hareor and pilots who under the protection
Of government and from whom in case OF damage by
their acts there is no redress.
Instead OF approprstng the large thus collected
from American ships in providing FOR the rapidly ncreas
ing trade Of this port Of Havre is currently reported
and believed among American shpnatrs that the build
ing Of Hotel de Vile" with is gardens &c, Is
preceded with by means Of il.
However this may be, J. who have visited Havre on
and On for twenty years past, see but little change
for the better during tina, period and should recommend
all vessels OF over one thousand tons 10 avoid as posi-
lively unsafe
] spoke Of American ships being damaged in Havrc-
perhaps the and underwriters Of the Glderseeve
the Switzerland and the Orient tell you something
about the accommodations Of the port Of Havrc This
last ship for the suitable dry dock, towed
to Liverpool and underwent there the repairs rendered
necessary by her being left by the pilot high and dry
the mud in the basin. could twenty
Of The same Kind, where ships have suffered from the
same cause and IN no ore Of them could the slightest
redress be obtained.
her stern and cutwatr in the ICE her passage Havre
last summer, the captain expressed wish 10 90 South
ship in Havrc. lie told at the custom house that If
he did his ship would have again 70 pay her dues
her returning from England in ballast.
American shipping suffers 10 the extent Of thousands or
dollars yearly in the detention they subjected TO for
the want Of discharging accommodations 10 Havre; for
the truth q this appeal TO any american shpmastcf
who has visited the port for the past years. II
uncommon occurrence for American ship to wait three
weeks for dischargng BERTH and last winter ships
detained double thai time Ai,cr The berth s at last got
much detention besides is commonly incurred in waiting
for dscharging officer or wogher OF these officials
and every ship 10 be discharged, no matter OF What
country, must wait her turn. The loss large ships,
waubg 'Lus LOT weeks, u enormous. Inc government
has been pettioned 10 appoint more weghers, but thu
far they steadily refuse.
In correction with this, should Ike 10 know why is
that American skpmascrs are forced 10 employ govern
melt brokers in France, who charge them outrgeousy
for dong literally nothing when French captains are cit
&c " choose their own brokers in the United states
In Havre, notwithstanding the immense American and
English trade there are but four Of these brokers for the
above nations who, even II capable are utterly unable
W w hs nist'sS thsg Ais lNu iSi ~
consequence OF The great increase Of the trade In 1880,
when the English and American trade was comparatively
tifng there four OF these brokers' In 1856, not
withdrawing the OF the trade, sun have the
same number. They are appointed by the government,
and pay imncnie sums tor the privilege ol dong tie
business o. the American ships. ~ appears 10 ne 10 DC
the duty OF our government TO look into THIS matter.
One question more ard have done. How Is i that
English ships come 10 Iiavre and load ior the United
States raging their this port tonnage
duty &C only franc yer ton, when an American ship
according o treaty, pays tive francs per ton! in seem
In -rcdlbe, hut il i nevertheless true. Tho Cunard
now coming TO Hayre regularly, and loading
against our American boats for New York nj advan
age 10 themselves Of four francs per ton on large
tels this j. heavy item each voyage; and Mr.. Marcy
put u.s. la this direct trade, good footing
John Bull manages ~ have his sbIs in al Indirect
why VIC had better host the English Gag at once.
AN AMERICAN sHIpMASIER.