COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.

THE HAMBURG EXHIBITION.

TO THE FARMERS, AGRICULTURISTS, AND MANUFACTURERS OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY, AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN THE GREAT NATIONAL EXHIBITION AT HAMBURG.

HAVING been appointed by the President of the United States, to represent the American Union at the International Exhibition at Hamburg, which is to be held under the auspices of the German Agricultural Society in July next, I deem it my duty to suggest for your consideration some of the principal reasons for which, at this important period of our history, we should give substantial evidence of the sympathy felt by us in this laudable effort of our German friends to advance the important interests of agricultural industry, which lie at the foundation of national prosperity.

The appropriation in aid of this effort, which was brought before Congress by the special request of the President, was only lost by a trifling majority, occasioned by the press of other matters at the close of the session, and want of time for due consideration; but I am happy to state that the prompt liberality which distinguishes the American character, has supplied the place of this appropriation.

The State of New York, in view of the important interests which she has in connection with the German States, has appropriated $1,000 to encourage her citizens in sending contributions to this exhibition. Other States would doubtless have done the same, had the subject been properly brought before their legislative assemblies.

With this amount, together with the aid of the very liberal subscriptions made by some of the prominent citizens of New York and Philadelphia, for the furtherance of this project, we hope to secure such a contribution of the results of American industry and ingenuity as will correspond with our national dignity, and fully prove to the people of Ceutral Europe that we are still in a condition to render effective aid to any enterprise having for its object the elevation and happiness of the human

race.

I do not hesitate to ask in behalf of our pride of country, that each of the States of the Union will furnish a representative to this great gath ering of European nationalties, and that liberal samples of all the agricultural products of the several States may be collected and prepared for exhibition, with a view to an extensive exchange of seeds and plants, which would doubtless result in material advantage to the agricultural interests of our country.

Although the difficulties of transportation may be an obstacle in the way of sending any considerable show of stock, yet we shall have from Vermont some fine specimens of Spanish merinos, said to be an improvement on the original breed. Our country affords some of the finest working cattle in the world, and it is to be hoped we shall send a specimen of

these and other kinds of stock and poultry, as proof of what we possess in this particular.

I would especially urge our inventors and manufacturers of all kinds of agricultural implements and machinery, (for which we stand pre-eminent before the world,) and have already obtained a valuable market in several of the countries of Europe, to exhibit the means employed by us to fill our vast storehouses with an annual supply of food, enabling us to furnish the wants of millions besides our own people.

I have been made fully aware that the great demand for agricultural machinery to supply the wants of manual labor in agricultural pursuits, renders it inconvenient for our manufacturers to give their attention to this object, yet patriotism, as well as sound policy for the future, demands of you a proper response to this invitation to unite with your contributions to give a general interest to this exhibition.

But there are other and more weighty considerations than the mere exhibition of agricultural specimens, or the inventions of our people in machinery and implements of husbandry at this time, when our position is exciting the attention of the civilized world.

We are to be represented by our contributions, as well as by our delegates, as a distinct nationality, surrounded by the people of Northern and Central Europe, to many of whom the knowledge of our condition is but conjecture, and it is therefore for our interest that we should give evidence of the continuance of our national life, as well as our public spirit; and mainly upon this ground, have the very liberal contributions been made by some of our patriotic fellow-citizens, and the highest officers of our government have been deeply interested in the part we are taking in this exhibition.

The great German Empire, with which we formed an early treaty of friendship and commerce, and with which we have maintained unbroken relations of peace from the days of WASHINGTON, is known to contemplate our grievous internal troubles with intense solicitude, and the presence of American delegates, and American inventions and products, at this Grand International Exhibition at Hamburg, will not only promote the material interests of both countries, but will undoubtedly be hailed as a proper recognition of the practical patriotism of our German adopted citizens, and a response to the ardent sympathy in our country's cause, cherished among their friends in the Fatherland.

But just one month now remains for us to prepare and send forward our contributions; the time, however, is ample if immediate action is taken on the subject. The agricultural societies or the Executive authority of each of the States, in which delegates have not been appointed, are earnestly requested to make selection of suitable representatives to the Exhibition. This is highly important to the interests of the several States, in view of the extensive information to be obtained in all matters pertaining to agriculture, in the exchange of seeds and plants, and in the printed records of the several State societies, and also in reference to the encouragement of German emigration.

Provision for space and accommodation at the exhibition will be made at once for all American contributions without charge to contributors, and articles for exhibition will be received until the 11th day of June next, though shipments, which can be made as early as the 28th of May, should be sent at that time.

The committee at Hamburg have decided to receive articles used for ordinary domestic purposes, such as churns, washing-machines, pails, brooms, etc., of which we anticipate a large variety.

Our carriages and wagons will command special attention, as the American style of vehicles are held in high estimation.

Samples of provisions, lard, flour, mazena, etc., will be duly appreciated by the committee.

An especial interest is felt in Germany in regard to the part we shall take in this exhibition, and we are assured that the invitation to the different countries in Europe to unite in this project, has met with a warm response. The English manufacturers of agricultural implements and machinery have made arrangements for a large display. The French Minister of the Interior has issued a circular calling upon the citizens of the Empire to give it countenance and support. The Swedish government has voted money in its aid. Orders have been received from Russia for the purchase of American implements and machinery at the Fair -and probably every European nation will have its representatives there. The unfortunate effect, therefore, of a meagre show on our part may be easily conceived, and we shall do ourselves great injustice if we neglect this favorable opportunity of giving ample evidence of the spirit and resources of the "Great Republic."

Messrs. AUSTIN, BALDWIN & Co., of the city of New York, are the duly authorized agents of the Hamburg Committee, to whom all consignments for the exhibition must be made, and who will pay all the expenses of transportation from any part of the United States to the city of Hamburg, to the extent of the funds contributed, which are presumed to be sufficient for the purpose.

Messrs. JAMES R. McDONALD & Co., of Hamburg, have been appointed to receive and take special charge of all articles sent from the United States to the exhibition, and in absence of the owner, will see that they are properly exhibited, and sold if are desired, in which case prompt remittances will be made through the agency in New York.

The extensive grounds in the vicinity of Hamburg, covering eighty acres, have been laid out for the exhibition, plans of which, together with any further information, may be had on application to Messrs. AUSTIN, BALDWIN & Co.

First class steamers will sail from New York direct for Hamburg on the 30th of May, and 13th and 27th of June. It is my purpose to sail on the first date named. I would recommend that delegates should leave as early as the 13th of June, though the following steamer will probably arrive in time for the opening of the exhibition, which is on the 14th of July. The passage to delegates will be reduced 25 per cent from the regular rates.

Letters and communications addressed to me should be sent to the care of Messrs AUSTIN, BALDWIN & Co., No. 72 Broadway.

JOSEPH A. WRIGHT, U. S. Commissioner.

NEW YORK, May 14, 1863.

DECISIONS OF TREASURY DEPARTMENT UNDER THE TARIFF ACT OF JULY 14, 1862.

The following decisions have been made by the Secretary of the Treasury, of questions arising upon appeals by importers from the decisions of collectors, relating to the proper classification, under the tariff act of July 14, 1862, of certain articles of foreign manufacture and production. entered at the ports of Boston and New York:

DUNNAGE MATS.

Treasury Department, March 31, 1863.

SIR: The appeal of ROBERT B. STORER from your decision assessing duty on the charge of dunnage mats contained in invoices of certain sheet iron imported by him, has been considered.

The appellant alleges: "These mats being the ordinary article of dunnage used in vessels from Russia, were bought and used solely for that purpose for the protection of the article which they accompanied, and therefore properly no more subject to duty than old boards and wood used to ceil the vessel or to raise the cargo from the vessel's floor" and "That no more mats were used than were absolutely needed."

The admission, on the part of the appellant, that the mats in question were a charge in the invoices, should, of itself, clearly establish the correctness of your decision.

It is, however, the law and the practice that no article of merchantable value shall be landed from the vessel in which they have been imported without the payment of or security for the payment of impost, if warehoused, unless they are made free of duty by the existing tariffs. In the case cited of "Old boards and wood used to ceil the vessel or to raise the cargo from the vessel's floor," duty would be assessed thereon, if of any merchantable value, when landed.

Your decision is hereby affirmed.

I am, very respectfully,

S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury. To J. Z. GOODRICH, Esq., Collector, Boston, Mass.

WASTE FUR.

Treasury Department, April 24, 1863.

SIR: Messrs. W. A. & A. M. WHITE appeal from your decision assessing a duty of 20 per cent on certain hatters' furs, imported by them per ships "Dreadnought" and "B. Adams," from Liverpool, and claim to enter them at 10 per cent, under section 19 of the act of March 2, 1861, as "furs not on the skin from undressed skins."

It is alleged by the appellants, and admitted by the experts of the customs, that the article in question "is cut from same skins, at same time, and by same process as other fur which is allowed to come in under the old duty of 10 per cent."

66

This does not, however, make it a fur, but, on the contrary, clearly establishes its character as waste," as its production is an unavoidable incident to a process for obtaining the fur from skins.

66

In General Regulations, June 1, 1856, there is a decision classifying waste silk, waste linen, or the waste or clipping of any other cloth, with

waste or shoddy ;" and this is reaffirmed in General Regulations, February 1, 1857, page 590, with the addition of "or hatters' skins."

The principle of these decisions this Department sees no reason to change.

Under section 19 of the act of March 2, 1861, flocks, waste or shoddy, was subject to a duty of 10 per cent; and under section 6 of the act of July 14, 1862, an additional duty of 10 per cent is imposed.

The article in question was classified as "waste fur" by you, and as such subjected to a duty at the rate of 20 per cent. Your decision is hereby affirmed.

I am, very respectfully,

GEO. HARRINGTON, Acting Sec. of the Treasury.

TO HIRAM BARNEY, Esq., Collector, New York.

COUNTRIES BEYOND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Treasury Department, April 24, 1863.

SIR: The following question has been presented to this Department: What is the proper interpretation or meaning of the words, "goods, wares, and merchandise of the growth or produce of countries beyond the Cape of Good Hope when imported from places this side of the Cape of Good Hope," as used in section 14 of tariff act of July 14, 1862 ?

I am of the opinion that by "countries beyond the Cape of Good Hope" is meant all countries with which we carry on commercial intercourse by means of vessels passing by or around the Cape of Good Hope, in a westwardly direction when sailing to this country, and which, in the ordinary course of navigation, are reached from here and from England by vessels passing by or around the Cape of Good Hope eastwardly.

In connection with this subject, I consider it necessary to say that all goods, wares, and merchandise of the growth or produce of countries beyond the Cape of Good Hope, when imported from places this side of the Cape of Good Hope, are subject to the additional duty of 10 per cent, unless their character, quality, and condition be entirely changed by manufacture or otherwise. For example, Manilla hemp, if manufactured into cordage in England, would not on the importation of said cordage into this country be subject to the additional duty of 10 per cent; in such a case its distinctiveness as hemp would be merged in its new condition. I am, very respectfully,

GEO. HARRINGTON, Acting Sec. of the Treasury. HIRAM BARNEY, Collector, &c., N. Y.

ginger root, (fresh or green).

Treasury Department, May 6, 1863.

SIR: Messrs. LUN, Wo & Co. have appealed from your decision assessing duty at the rate of 5 cents per pound on certain "ginger root" imported by them from Hong Kong.

66

The appellants submit, that, in their opinion, the ginger root contemplated in the tariff is the dried ginger root known in the trade and to druggists; whereas the ginger root which comes from China is fresh--the juice running out if cut-sprouting on the voyage, often one-half of the quantity shipped arriving in a rotten state, &c."