Commercial Relations of the United States with Foreign Countries

mittee by the chairman of the fishermen's association, namely, that by smoking; and they believe that the erection of smoke-houses by the people themselves is so very inexpensive that this method might be carried on to a great extent, and with considerable profit. The committee would suggest that a small premium be allowed to any person who erects a smoke-house, and brings for sale fish of any kind, properly cured therein, to the value of £10.

9th. The sale of bait to foreigners, on the western coast, in such enormous quantities as our inquiry affords ample evidence of, the committee believe is the great and first cause of the decline of our shore fisheries, and they venture to hope that they have suggested a remedy in limiting the time for using seines, as recommended in their remarks on the fourth question of their investigation. In concluding their report, the committee would beg leave to state, that it is their unanimous opinion that unless an efficient coastal and land guard be established to enforce such laws which are or may be enacted for the protection of the fisheries, it will be worse than useless to endeavor to carry them out by mere proclamation, more especially the herring fishery. All which is respectfully submitted by

JOHN RORKE, Chairman.
S. RENDELL.
ED. EVANS.

STEPHEN MARCH.
H. T. MOORE.

P. G. TESSIER.
ROBERT KENT.

JULY 28, 1863.

***In reply to your inquiries, I have the honor to state that "a light fee of one shilling sterling per ton is levied on all American, British, or other foreign vessels entering any port or harbor of this colony, but not to be levied more than once in any one year, and providing that no greater sum than twenty-five pounds sterling shall be levied on any one vessel in the same year."

In addition to the light dues, each vessel is obliged to pay pilotage, amounting, in the average, to about eight cents per ton.

ST. JOHN, N. B.-B. HOWARD, Consul.

JULY 4, 1863.

Your despatch No. 36, asking for information with reference to tonnage and other duties levied upon American vessels in ports of New Brunswick, has been this day received."

Having just obtained authentic information on the subject, I will reply, that the light house dues are 5 cents per ton, and marine hospital dues are 13 cent per ton, as is shown by the slip hereto attached. These are the only duties collected at the custom-house. The American steamers making weekly trips between this port and Boston, as well as irregular vessels of all classes, are required to pay these dues for six entries only during each year.

I am happy to state that there is no discrimination in favor of British-built vessels with reference to port charges. A vessel built at St. John pays the same tonnage and other duties as a vessel built in the United States or any other country. On the slip enclosed you will find the rates of pilotage, harbormasters' fees, rates of wharfage, &c., &c.

There is one advantage, however, that the ships of Great Britain and some

other countries possess, and that is, the power to have seamen arrested for desertion.

Although the local authorities have in all cases, when requested, arrested deserters from our own ships, as a matter of comity or favor, you are aware, of course, that we cannot demand this service as a right.

A treaty with Great Britain, such as we have with France, would greatly promote the interests of American commerce.

Rates of pilotage established by a law or ordinance of the common council of the city of Saint John, passed August 3, 1848.

Five shillings per foot for bringing any ship or vessel into the harbor of Saint John and mooring her into a safe place or berth, or securing her alongside of one of the wharves; and five shillings per foot for removing and taking any ship or vessel out of the harbor.

In cases where pilots shall be detained on board of vessels, under and by virtue of the quarantine or health laws of the province, they shall be entitled to demand and receive from masters of such vessels the sum of ten shillings per day for every day of such detention, in addition to the allowance aforesaid.

Coasting vessels going from one part of the bay of Fundy to another, British steamboats, or British vessels drawing under six feet of water, are not compelled to take pilots. When employed, they are to be paid according to the rate above mentioned.

For removing vessels from any mooring ground to any wharf, or from one wharf to another wharf, and seeing them properly moored or secured, the following rates: For vessels not exceeding one hundred tons, seven shillings and sixpence; for vessels over one hundred and not exceeding two hundred tons, ten shillings; for vessels over two hundred and not exceeding three hundred tons, fifteen shillings; and for all vessels over three hundred tons, the sum of twenty shillings.

First distance. From Partridge island to Musquash Cove Head, bearing northwest, five shillings per foot.

Second distance. From Musquash Head to Point LePreaux, bearing northwest, six shillings and threepence per foot.

Third distance.-From Point LePreaux to north head of Grand Manan, bearing northwest, or north channel, bearing southeast, seven shillings and sixpence per foot.

Fourth distance.-From the north head of Grand Manan, or north channel, as aforesaid, to Machias Seal island, bearing south, or Briar island, bearing southsouth east, eight shillings and ninepence per foot.

Fifth distance.-Anywhere outside the aforesaid distance, ten shillings per foot.

Harbor-masters' fees.

On vessels of 30 tons and under 50, 2s. 6d.; vessels of 50 tons and under 75, 3s. 9d.; 75 and under 100 tons, 5s.; 100 and under 150 tons, 6s. 3d.; 150 and under 200 tons, 7s. 6d.; 200 and under 300 tons, 10s.; 300 and under 400 tons, 12s. 6d.; 400 tons and upwards, 15s.; decked vessels, under 100 tons, owned and registered at Saint John, and all British vessels under that tonnage trading within the bay of Fundy, or arriving from ports to the northward of Cape Cod, or the westward of Cape Canso, or from any port in Nova Scotia, to pay annually, as follows: Under 30 tons, 3s. 9d.; over 30 and under 50 tons, 58.; over 50 and under 75 tons, 6s.; over 75 and under 80 tons, 10s.

Rates of wharfage established by act 5 Vict., cap., 49, in the city of Saint John and parish of Portland.

For every decked vessel or wood boat, of the burden of 40 tons and under, 1s. 6d. per day; above 40 tons and under 50, 1s. 9d.; above 50 and under 60, 28.; above 60 and under 70, 28. 3d.; above 70 and under 80, 2s. 6d.; above 80 and under 90, 28. 9d.; above 90 and under 100, 3s.; above 100 and under 120, 38. 6d.; above 120 and under 150, 4s.; above 150 and under 180, 4s. 6d. ; above 180 and under 200, 5s.; above 200 and under 220, 5s. 6d.; above 220 and under 240, 6s.; above 240 and under 260, 6s. 6d.; above 260 and under 280, 78.; above 280 and under 300, 78. 6d.; above 300 and under 320, 8s.; above 320 and under 340, 8s. 6d. ; above 340 and under 360, 9s.; above 360 and under 380, 9s. 6d.; above 380 and under 400, 10s.; above 400 and under 450, 11s. 3d.; above 450 and under 500, 12s. 6d. ; and 1s. 3d. for every additional 50 tons.

Rates of slippage at the corporation slips.

All decked vessels, same rates as for wharfage; wood boats, and other boats, or undecked vessels, having standing masts, and all scows, and not lying at the wharves on either side of slips, to pay the following rates: Every wood boat of sufficient burden to carry 10 cords of wood or under, 1s. 6d. ; every wood boat of sufficient burden to carry upwards of 10 cords, and not more than 15, 2s. 6d.; every wood boat of sufficient burden to carry upwards of 15 cords, and not more than 20, 3s. 9d.; every wood boat of sufficient burden to carry upwards of 20 cords, 5s. The above to be paid each trip; and if any such vessel remains over six days, an additional duty to be paid of from 2s. 6d. to 5s. daily, according to the burden. Other boats and vessels without decks, and having fixed or standing masts, and all scows, to pay 1s. 6d. each trip, and 1s. 6d. additional per day if suffered to remain over three days.

September 30, 1863.

In compliance with the general instructions contained in the Manual, I have the honor to transmit a brief report on the trade and commerce of this consular district for the year ended September 30, 1863.

The trade of St. John has been more seriously affected by the existing rebellion than that of many of our own ports. The two chief articles of export, lumber and fish, could not be shipped to the American market with profit, on account of the unusually high rate of exchange, the cost of transferring funds from New York or Boston to St. John having ranged during the year from sixteen to forty-two per cent. Returns of trade exhibit a slight improvement, however, the value of exports to the United States having increased from $843,141 in the year 1861, to $889,416 in 1862. For tables exhibiting in detail the different articles of export and import, together with the value of each, I beg leave to refer you to the annual returns of trade and navigation for the year 1862, herewith transmitted. I will here state that the total shipments from this port to Great Britain, between the first of January, 1863, and the present time, have been 120,381,000 feet deals, 9,680 tons pine, and 5,166 tons birch. For this trade two hundred and eight ships were used, of 148,047 tons burden. For the same period last year there were exported 102,932,000 feet deals, 14,106 tons pine, and 4,041 tons birch, in one hundred and eighty-five vessels of 128,416 tons burden.

There are in port to-day twenty-two ships of 16,629 tons, against eighteen of 12,144 tons on the 30th of September, 1862. The value of importations fron the United States was $3,014,736 in 1861, and in 1862, $2,960,703.

The chief article of import is flour, this with all kinds of agricultural produce being admitted free of duty under the reciprocity treaty. For the quantity and value of the various articles imported, I refer you to the lengthy report of William Smith, esq., her Majesty's controller of customs.

As, there have been some modifications in the tariff of duties imposed by the provincial parliament of New Brunswick, I send you enclosed an alphabetical arrangement of the rates of duty now collected at the ports of this province.

This port has in former years been visited by a comparatively large number of American ships which have conveyed cargoes of deals to Liverpool and London. In 1861 there were three hundred and twenty-two American vessels of all classes entered. This includes the entry of the two American steamers which make regular weekly trips between St. John and Boston during nine months in the year. In 1862 only one hundred and forty vessels carrying the American flag touched at this port, while during the first nine months of the present year one hundred and fifty-five have entered. At one time during the present year so large a number of our ships began to take British registers that the prospect for our merchant marine looked somewhat alarming. But our ships have ceased to take foreign flags. One of the most important matters that can occupy the attention of Congress will be the enactment of certain laws by which American ships temporarily registered in foreign countries will be again admitted to registry in our own ports. The question is, whether there shall be a temporary or permanent loss to our merchant marine of hundreds of the noblest ships. The nominal transfer of property in almost every case has been the merest sham; the owners of these American-built vessels are still the same, and will gladly bring back to the protection of the old flag their ships when the bonding and burning shall cease.

JANUARY 30, 1864.

In reply to your despatch No. 46, I have the honor to transmit the enclosed statistical tables and copies of acts of the provincial assembly, from which documents you will learn the rates of duty or existing tariff in the province of New Brunswick, and also the duties collected prior to the time when the reciprocity treaty went into operation. Table one shows the duties collected at the time the treaty went into operation. The act imposing duties for raising a revenue in force, June 1, 1854, remained unchanged until March 10, 1855, when slight modifications were made by a new act, an official copy of which is herewith enclosed, marked Table II. This act, however, did not take effect until August 1, 1855, and, in accordance with its terms, continued in force for four years. But in the year 1856 "An act to levy an impost for railway purposes was passed, under which a duty of two and one-half per cent. was imposed upon the articles named in Table No. III.

On May 1, 1862, this impost was increased to three (3) per cent., at which figure it has since remained.

On the 1st day of November, 1860, the act now in force went into operation. The accompanying schedule, marked Table IV, exhibits the rate of duties collected at this date in this province.

Remembering that the act which expired May 1, 1859, was re-enacted and continued until November 1, 1864, and we have the dates of the changes of the Brunswick tariff. Having the dates at which alterations have been made in the tariff, the tables before referred to will furnish a list of the articles, alphabetically arranged, the duties upon which have been modified.

I will make only a few general observations in regard to the working of the reciprocity treaty, so far as it has a bearing upon the trade between New Brunswick and the United States. It is a somewhat extraordinary circumstance that, of the one hundred or more articles that are entitled to free entry

into the United States, and also into this province, under the treaty the article of flour only has been and can be to any extent an article of import from our country to this province; while, on the other hand, the table of goods admitted duty free embraces everything which is an article of export from New Brunswick, such as lumber of every description, fish, coal, oils, &c., &c.

The advantages derived by us from the treaty are to import flour and other breadstuffs free of daty, upon which we formerly paid a duty of seventy-two (72) cents per barrel. We import certain manufactured articles and other goods which are constantly being shipped in the opposite direction; and we have the benefit of certain fishing grounds, which our fishermen have, for the last two years at least, abandoned.

You will observe, also, that even upon flour and other articles embraced in the treaty we have only an advantage of three per cent., for all other countries may import these goods by paying simply the kind they import of three per cent. ad valorem.

On the other hand, the provincials export to the United States lumber, fish, and coal, the chief articles of export, which are admitted duty free, enjoying substantially all the benefits of free trade with us, while we are obliged to pay high duties on all manufactured goods; and, in fact, upon all the goods principally imported, with the exception of the simple article named. A reference to the annual return of trade, already transmitted to the department, and to the table of duties, will prove these statements.

Table No. IV, showing the duties now levied on principal imports from the United States in the province of New Brunswick, by acts of 18 Vic., cap. 2, and 19 Vic., cap. 18.

Description.

Ordinary rev

Railway.

enue.

Agricultural implements, except spades, shovels, scythes, and

reaping hooks.

.ad val....