New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-29
COSTLY CASES OF STARCH.
THE CASE OF THE AMERICAN BRIG JOsEFA.
sPANIARDs TO HAVE THEIR OWN WAY AND
EXACT AN EXCESSIVE FINE WITHOUT
PROTEST FROM Mr. BAYARD.

w.sh,nvton Dec os-It is learned at the Depart
cnt % State that the case of tho brig Josefa against
the Spanish Government for ndignities, etc. alleged
I, have been imposed by the customs officers at Porto
Rco jamaica has been under investigation since July.
1857 Tho investigation disclosed the following facts
In July 1887, the American brig Joscfa Of Portland,
Me, ]. s. Wnslow 4 Co., owners; L. S, SNOW master,
entered the port of Arroyo, Porto Rco having cleared
from New-York in the previous month. When her
marifest and bill of lading were examined by customs
officials, twenty boxes of con-starch OF the value
OF S36 were found to be on the manifest and not
in the cargo For this shortage, fine of 5000 per
box or "a, 600 altogether, was imposed by the Gus
toms authorities CAPTAIN Snow protested and stated
that when no was taking on his cargo at New-forh'
another vessel bark of name similar TO his, was IN
port and the Josefa and was loading under inc
direction of the shipping agent as the Josefa'
that the receipts signed by his first maze, a man
named Nelson, that when the manifest was handed
him Snow he signed IT hurriedly and without pay
ing much attention and that the receipt for the boxes
of cornstarch was signed for by C. Olsen while all
the rest of the cargo signed for by Nelson.
Cautain Snow presented his to the United states
Consul Who presented IT to the Government oi ror'o
Rico and urged the remission or at least reuuo'o'
~ the fine on the explanation thus offered. This was
refused The Department of State wrote 10 the Ireas
ury Department and learned that the Daih 'oScP""S
had sailed from New York for San Francisco on June
Ia 1897 bu, the starch not found on Doald
ON board. Her first mates namc was Kelly Inc
case is striking from the fact that the short Shipment
Of S35 worth OF corn-starch nets fine Oh S4'ooo'
but it is explained at the Department tna 'he opera
ton of the spanish laws marked by such excessive
fines The United States as we'll as Eheiahu anu
Sweden have endeavorcd TO have this oorecled D' 80
far without success 1t is stated at the Department
that the Spanish regulations arc framed on the n'or
that a missing package not satisfactorily accouN.ou
Cor covers a successful smuggling operation. jung
ing from spondence the Spanish au'hores reason
that twenty boxes said TO contain merchahosc VI
little value appear have gone on board the 'osea
at Ncw-York: that the captains excuses have oeen
sxn,oded that there is no evidences that the twenty
boxes contained corn starch that they may haV9 eH %
tanned opium or some other valuable article anu '
tbey NAV have been successfully smugsieu asnoiU, @
Therefore The authorities adhere to thelr maAlu t
fne Of 5000 for each missing package ho "a'er VIVA"
the alleged contents may be. -, s...o. tho ppex
pained package is punishable with sSoo Gnnrota,T NM
view OF these facts 1t is intimated that oeeIcaIAA
Bavard does not feel justified In pressing aeIaao % m
for REMISSION in this particular case ara that ne
viii defer bringing the case TO the sttenuo Ii @
spansh Government until more satisfactory eVuomSS
is produced to the actual disposition OF 'no s'i'"