The New York herald., 1872-11-10
CUSTOM HOUSE AFFAIRS.

A Dull Business Day, Owing to Nom
Arrival OF Steamers-Anxicty About
the st. Laurent-Importan Official
Notice Concerning Discriminating
Duty-The Valiant Army OF Once
Seekers Comforted With Civil Service.
An unusual dulness prevailed yesterday at the
Custom House, which was occasioned by the non-
arrival Of expected steamers at this port No less
than five steamships were fully due. Particular
anxiety is felt on account OF the French
steamer st. Laurent. which is now overdue
nearly week. That perverse winds are
prevailing outside OF Sandy Hook is a well
known fact, and the severe weather is doubtless
the cause of OBTAINING the vessels now so long
over the regular time. Hon. ]. q. Bancroft Davis
and family are known to be passengers by the st.
Laurent, and his friends are beginning to manifest
some uneasness at the delay of her arrival
Thirteen first class ocean steamships cleared
yesterday at the Custom House for Europe. Each
one Of these noating palaces goes out laden to the
gunwale with American produce especially provi.
sons grain and cotton Besides the vessels sailed
for Europe number OF coastwise cearances Tor
steamers were issued, all OF which combined
caused the business in Deputy Collector Embrees
division to be more animated than in any other
part OF the Custom House.
Goods imported in French vessels from countries
other than France are subject to discriminating
virtue Of proclamation OF the President OF the
United States dated October 30, 1872. This course
has been adopted In retaliation OF policy adopted
by the French government which proved oppressive
to the American shipping interests The following
Official circular was received by Collector Arthur
yesterday touching upon this subject, and at once
promulgated throughout the DISTRICT
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
WasHINGToS, d. c., Nov, 1872
Under and by virtue OF proclamation of the Presi
dent OF the United States dated the 3h day OF October
1872 Collectors OF Customs are hereby instructed and
required TO and collect from and after such
the discriminating duty Of ten per centum nd valorem
provided by the seventeenth section OF the act of June &
1854 all chandise imported into their respective
districts in French vessels from countries other than
France. WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON,
Acting Secretary OF the Treasury
The usual crowd OF oflce-seekers frequent the
corridor and ante-r00m OF the Collectors Onice In
the vain hope OF being able to convince General
Arthur Of their great ability, social and political
standing and eminent fitness to occupy a first
class appointment under the United states govern.
ment. The Collector receives all who call upon
him with great suavity, and patiently listens to
their reasonings. When the candidate for Official
life has exhausted all bis brilliant illusions, and
feeling inwardly satisfied that ne has
captivated the Collector and convinced
him OF his UNKNOWN greatness, unrequited
ambition is suddenly checked by modest ref
erence to the 'civil service coden which gives
everybody who may prove competent to compete
for any existing vacancy In the public service an
opportunity to demonstrate his fitness, and upon
the recommendation OF the Examining Commits
sion he lthe Collector) would be most happy to
urge their confirmation by the department. In
this manner the Collector Is annoyed by number
less callers, each one having different story to
tell and every one looking for good fat appoint