The New York herald., 1869-09-17
SECRETARY BOUTWELL,.
Prominent Gentlemen-Reception Of
Bank Officers, Steel Importers and
Sugar -Commissioner
Sargent and Stale HarbOr
Eees-Dinner to Secre.
tary Bon well ut the
Union League.

Secretary Boutwell, who has been spending few
days in New England for the benefit OF his health,
arrived IN New York Wednesday evening from Bos-
ton and took apartments at the Astor House. HIS
presence IN the city was not known that night ex-
cept to a few personal friends. who called on the
Secretary at the hotel. General Butterleld dined
with Mr.. Boutwell,, and the evening was spent in
discussing financial matters In New York and social
conversation. Early yesterday morning large
number OF persons assembled at the hotel for
the purpose OF presenting documents relating TO ap
polntments but as the Secretary's time was limited,
having considerable business to transact at the
Sub-Treasury and Custom House, but few Of the
ONCE seekers gained admlttance TO him. Among
those whom he received were Collector Grinneil,
General Butterfeld General Merritt, Colonel E. S.
Sanford, Mr. Thomas E. Stewart, MIR. Horace
Greeley and Mr.. Opdyke.
The gold and stock market was affected somewhat
early In the day by the presence OF the Secretary IN
the city, but inquiry Of the Secretary elected the in
formation that he was here simply to give MS per-
sonal attention to Q few matters IN the Custom
House and Sub-Treasury which could be
thus better disposed of than by correspond
ence. Several bankers and merchants had
also expressed desire to meet him in relation to
the scarcity Of small currency, certain matters in
sugar refining, and embarrassments IN the mporta-
uOn Oh btee IL lS WillSpereu InaI pOtlCal mbtJcIs
had not little to do with the Secretary's VISIT and
that the reorganization Of the republican party al
ready initiated in New York, has been subject OF
some Of the distinguished gentlemen with whom he
conferred.
THE STEEL IMPORTERS.
About noon the Secretary proceeded to the Custom
House, where he was met by q deputation Of steel
importers. The committee not being prepared to
present their subject as concsey as the limited time
demanded the Secretary went over to the Sub-Trea-
sury to meet number OF bank 0fncers, after which
he returned to Collector Grinnel's office and heard
the steel importers. Mr.. Firth, OF SandersOn,
Brothers Co., represented to the Secretary that in
consequence of English steel manufacturers exporting
steel 10 the United States at lower valuation than
that placed English steel expectations to CONT
mental Europe the American Consul In Shefleld
had refused to certify large invoices Of steel to this
country, resulting in considerable inconvenience to
iron and steel importers. Mr.. Boutwell, read
number of Sheffield letters confrmatory Of Mr..
Firths statements and desired that the subject be
referred to Washington, with all documents re-
latlng to the case
represented Dy several large firms, including Messrs.
Peter Muller, A. Ockerhaussen, Hugh N. Camp
ana Braddlsh Johnson, then waited 90 upon M the the
the Custom House weighers, after weighing sugars,
marked the weights upon the boxes and hogsheads.
and the goods paid duty upon those weights and
were generally sold according to them. For reasons
not known to the trade Collector Barney had abol-
Ished the system OF marking weights upon packages,
ana the weghers made return to the Custom House
OF about 200 less than the packages really made.
Upon this duty was paid and the practice still con-
tlnues Inasmuch as sugar renners do not buy high
priced sugars for their business but refine the low
priced artcle the gr0cers are able to compete with
ing advantage OF the smaller amount OF duty paid
than should have been gwen TO the government
Complaints the sugar refners stated, had been made
to Coilector Grinnell, and he, desirous OF aiding
them, had IN one or two instances redressed their
wrongs, but the general fact renamed as before.
AT THE SUB-TREAsURY.
The Secretary met by several leading financial
gentlemen, including John J. Cisco, Henry Clews,
n B. Claan, \. B. Chittenden, J. stewart, George
Mr. Lanier, OF WInslow, Lanier Co.; Mr.: Morr1-
mye Son Of the MeTchants BanS Mr. Iowery Of the
Bank OF the Republic; Mr.. COe, OF the American EX-
change BanE; Mr.. Kitchen. OF the Park Bank; Mr.
houn, of the Fourth National Bank, and Mr.. Knapp,
of the Mechanics Bank. The conversation was
wholly OF an informal nature, The gentlemen simply
experienced IN New York from the scarcity OF small
currency. Mr.. Boutwell, expressed his Willingness
to do all In his power to remedy the deficiency, and
in short time left the Sub-Treasury.
COMMISSIONER sARGENT's INSTRUCTIONS
to Custom House officers prohibiting the collection
pital and other local fees from vessels were also
taken into consideration by the Secretary and Col
lie
planatory of this subject was published IN the
HERALD OF Wednesday. After consulting upon the
matter yesterday was decided that Coector Grin
nell should address communication TO the Trea-
sury Department setting forth ali the facts relating
to the question, which communication should be
promptly acted upon. The Secretary did not express
any opinion on the subject, not having examined
the matter IN all its bearings.
This question has been agitated some time by Mr..
G.. F. Barnes Agent OF the Ship owners and Cap
tains Association OF New York, Boston, Philadel-
phia ana New London, and q large number Of petit
20 Ityv.pt
prevention Of the collection OF the alleged illegal
fees. The following letter from Mr.. Barnes to the
Commissioner OF Customs gives an III ldea OF the OBJ,
the degree to which Commissioner Sargent's order
viii af1ect this port If enforced.
c,.. NEW YORK. Y Sept 1e, 1859.
DEAR sIR-Yesterday, the 18th inst Mr. Thomas Of the
Of to MP % son Ms
pay the Custom House the entry fee (Which he only
S % s s p A%s"
s' a.!S hfs ssS
fhoma. gave the case to work up this morning at
ass % II. %
(J WV refused TO accept stating the whole bill must be
@
which is enclosed in Mr. Thomas handwriting Having got
.ne bi unless you get the whole bill, sls so'" lie 'ad
then said, q" will 60 to Washington tonight and report
u: sns a a d s Be 10 dd
clerk who said could the whole bill or leave out the
three CO. 81 80 and $6 We then returned 10 clerk
~ A. W." who took the $l34 so and save us the within
bill and said that the bills would be sued and all sorts OF
things to which said would take care OF our
business that would report matter to headquarters
forthwith.
Sir, hope win now order that establishment not to
collect State money under any certain mer
chants and brokers want to rule the Custom House, and the
New York Custom House rule the treasury or the
United States Some Custom brokers told to-day
they paid regard old ssrgens order and did not
intend TO. -
Mr.. Evans Of the firm Of N L. McCready Co., Ss South
told that the brokers told him that they were not
regarding Mr. Sargents order and did rot mean TO-
~ A. w." among other things said he was collecting har
bor masters fees right straight along and while
waiting and objecting pay that fee ~ W. said III
you vessel will be beled, and you can't
get your papers until you pay this BILL" was paid IN our
presence Yours Ac, Y. y. BARNES.
All matters herein contained in relation to the schooner
A'0s'' i"0"'' ~ "''''' A. THOMAS, JR
As before stated in the HERALD, the State fees
above referred to collected In the Custom House
by courtesy, and pay percentage 10 the United
States officials for collection. The ship owners aud
captains expect to break up this arrangement, and
when the state officers attempt to collect the fees
resist the tax in the United States courts. Mr..