New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-08

eoOus passing In pen neignb0rn0oo, anu cAPosoo
to their depredAtions. Like the Sound duties,
these Stade duties can boast very respectable
antiquity, and can set up the character OF
vested right, recognized BY many treaties. But so
could the right claimed by the Barbsry Powers OF
levyDg tribute upon all vessels passing into and out
of the Mediterranean, and of capturing the ships
and cargoes, and making slaves Of the citizens OF
such nations as refused to pay it. As long ago q"
1923, with the very first rise of the commerce oil
Hamburg, these tolls began to be levied BY the feu'
da lords Of the southern bank of the river, and at
length came to be regarded as one Of the incidents
Of the Duchy Of verden, in which the town Of
Stade with lite fortress of Brunshausen, is situated
This Duchy was presently conquered BY Denmark,
by which these Stade duties, as well as the Sound
duties, were levied; but in 1905 Denmark sold
the Ducby of Verden to the EIector Of Hanover,
who thus succeeded to the right of levy 80 far as
Stade and the commerce of Hamburg were con-
cemed.
The consequences of the French Revolui ion led
to the abolition of many of the feudal tolls and
impostions BY which the commerce of Germany
had been shackled. By the treaty Of Vienna, it
was provided that the navigation of all the German
rivers should be free and that no charge should be
levied upon one country which was not paid BY
another. But when the Commissioners appointed
under this treaty assembled, it was contended, on
the part Of Hanover, that these Stsde duties were
a sea and Lot river tax and, under this pretext,
Hanover was allowed st to collect them. Den
mark alleged on bthsif Of the Sound duties, that
she kept up Lighthouses, buoys, &C. Hanover
has no such apology for tie Stsds duties, as the
whole expense of maintaining aud facilitating the
navigation 81 tie Elbe fails upon Hamburg.
TIE Euglish have a particular interest in this
question, the exports from England to Hamburg
amounting to net less than fifty or sixty millions OF
dollars. 1t is also alleged that England furnished
the ElectOr of Hanover, who had Just beco ne
George l., the very money with which the right 10
levy these tolls was purchas 'd-but this is denied
by the Hanoveran Government; AID that, besides,
finally paid that country large sum to quiet her
claim to the tolls and the territory. Hanover, it
ia eald recognized the services of England in this
matter by renting, in the time of George H.,
these tolls to English yesses but after the over
throw of Bonaparte they were reimposed as above
mentioned on English as well all other ships
and are now regulated, 30 far as English vessels are
concerned, by treaty made in 1914, fixing the
rates above mentioned, and which have also been
adopted as to most other countries.
The subject has lately been brought to the notice
of the British House of Commons. Some mem
bers contended that, under the circumstances,
Hanover bad no claim to indemnity; but the pre-
vailing opinion seemed to be that these duties could
only be got rid of by purchase. The annoyance
and delay growing out of their collection was rep
resented al itsefa serious evil The sum of mill on
of dollars was mentioned as probable price, so
far as England was concerned, with perhaps an
abatement by reason of the advances made to Han
to enable her to purchase these duties. Bot if
they are abolished with respect to England, they
be as to all other nations The subject has al
ready bee brought to the notice of the Senate by
Dir. Seward, who will doubtless persevere till the
object is attained.