The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-22

the Onion la.tA sAa.as iss Ap 25-tf
THE CANADIAN RECIPROCITY TREATY AND THE
ERRORS OF THE PRESS
We have observed in several of the northern pa
pers complaints of certain regulations lately issued
by the Treasury Department, under what is com
monty known as the Canadian reciprocity treaty
We had no doubt, when we first perused these com
ments, that they originated in misapprehension. We
have carefully examined the regulations and decis-
ions of the Treasury Department under that treaty,
and we find first impressions abundanty con-
frmed. 3 "a geiaF f
The Sd article Of the treaty of the 9th June, 1854
contains schedule of articles which, if the growth
and produce" Of the British provinces to be adj
mitted into the United States free Of duty. s E
As this exemption from duty attached to the articles
named in the schedule only when they were of the
"grov'th and produce Of the provinces, it became
necessary for the Treasury Department to prescribe
the proof of origin that should be received by col
lectors Of customs at the several ports when mer-
chandse from the British provinces should be pre-
scented for entry M u 43ar ~
This evidence was, Of COURSE not to be merely for
NAL. Unless substantial and reliable proof should
were truly of the growth and produce of the Brit
ish North American provinces, not only would the
treaty itself have been violated but an opportunity
afforded of pouring into the United States almost
without obstruction, the productions of other coun-
tries through the Provinces free of the duties inn
posed ON them by law. By regard for the securi-
ty of the revenue, therefore, as well as the obga-
ton faithfully to execute the treaty, the Treasury
Department doubtlessy felt obliged to exact the
most reliable proof of origin which it was practica-
BILE to require and enforce under the circumstances
of the case With this view, apparently, the Secre-
tary OF the treasury IN the exercise OF the discre-
ton vested in him by law required substantially the
same proof to exempt under the treaty, PROVINCIAL
imports from duty as was required by law TO author
NE the canceiiauon OF pond ior duues on exports
IRON warehouse.
The origin OF the merchandise IN the one case,
and It's due LANDING without the limits OF the UNI
ted States IN the other, were facts occurring In
foreign country, properly to be substantiated by
similar proof and had precisely the same effect ON
the public revenue In both cases the duties, other
wise payable by law, were not to be demanded The
analogy was strict enough to warrant the require
meHI VI oFiuohoo ~ uotl CaSeS. !
1t was apparently upon these grounds that the
Treasury Department prescribed, as soon az the
treaty went into effect, in its circular Of the 3lst
March, 1855, that the proof OF origin should be the
affidavit of the importer as to the place of growth
and production, duly authenticated. lssss.
By the circular of May 3D. 1855. the certificate
of origin was dispensed with where the party was
personally known to the collector, and in the alb
sence of any just suspicion OF fraud or deception
further modification seems to have been subse-
quently adopted and promulgated in treasury crcu-
lar of the 9th October, 1855, which requires brief
explanation. s
The supplemental collection act OF the LIST March,
1923, requires the nonresident owner to verify his
invoice by an oath to be administered by a United
States consular officer.
In the circular OF 9TH OCTOBER 1892 the forms OF
these oaths are prescribed and' TO avoid probably
the expense OF Two consular cerunca'es' thefe is
aooeo 70 inc oa'hs i0quneu uiiue' 'ie "o' oi 1919
an aVerhon' aS " 'no "a ''e ana
corroporauon " uia' aSeii'e' ~ 'i'e oer'ca'e OIL
the oatn
It's further autnofizea Dy the forms prescribed IN
tat CIRCULAR 1nat where 'here s no consul the oath
shall be subscribed ana sworn 10 before two respect
apie meronan's pu' 'ne ailerhauve autnorized py
q,