Sir F. Bruce to Mr. Hunter
Washington,
May 18, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you copies
of a despatch, and of its enclosures, which I have received from her
Majesty’s consul at Boston, relative to a tax of thirty cents a ton
which is being levied upon British vessels at the ports within his
consulate, the measurement being, as it appears, taken under the old
system, whereby the British register tonnage is increased nearly
one-third.
I beg that you will have the goodness to submit these documents to the
proper authorities, and I trust that, in accordance with the suggestion
of her Majesty’s consul, the additional tax which appears to have been
unduly levied upon British vessels since the 1st April may be remitted,
and that, in future, the tax in question will be assessed upon the
tonnage borne upon the registers of the British vessels.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your most obedient
humble servant,
Hon. William Hunter,
&c., &c., &c.
[Page 157]
Mr. Lousada to Sir F. Bruce
Her Britannic Majesty’s
Consulate, Boston,
May 9, 1865.
Sir: I beg to bring to your notice, with a
view to obtain redress, the practice of the United States
custom-house at the ports within this consulate with regard to the
taxes imposed on British vessels; a tax being levied of thirty cents
a ton, and the measurement being taken under the old system, whereby
the British registrar tonnage is increased nearly one-third, causing
the greatest dissatisfaction.
The enclosed correspondence with the collector at this port will
explain the matter morefully; and as the “tort” is persisted in, to
the cost and detriment of our shipping, I now report it, in order
that it may be brought more authoritatively to the notice of the
authorities at Washington, should you think proper.
I have, &c.
F. LOUSADA, Her Britannic Majesty’s
Consul.
Hon. Sir Frederick Bruce, G. C. B., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Lousada to Mr. Goodrich
Her Majesty’s Consulate,
Boston,
April 22, 1865.
Sir: I beg to submit to you that the
several British vessels which have entered at this port since the
1st of April have been forced to pay thirty cents per ton duty,
calculated on the old American system of tonnage, which, as you are
aware, increases the number of tons by about twenty-five per
cent.
Application was made on the subject to Washington, and the assistant
treasurer, under date of January 20, 1865, replied that—
“1. The tonnage tax of ten cents a ton (now raised to thirty cents)
attaches, on entry of the vessel, upon the tonnage expressed on the
document under which she enters, and not upon any tonnage which may
be subsequently ascertained.
“2. In this respect foreign vessels differ in nowise from American.
The tax is to be assessed upon the tonnage borne upon their
registers.”
I trust, sir, if upon reference you find this opinion to be
maintained, that you will consider it just and proper to remit the
additional tax, unduly levied, upon British vessels which may have
entered subsequently to the promulgation of the law.
I have, &c.,
FRANCIS LOUSADA, Her Britanic Majesty’s
Consul.
Mr. Lousada to Mr. Goodrich
Private.]
Her Britannic Majesty’s
Consulate,
Boston,
May 4, 1865.
Dear Sir: May I shortly expect an answer to
my despatch to you of the 22d ultimo, relative to the measurement of
British vessels?
I am, &c.,
F. LOUSADA, Her Britannic Majesty’s
Consul.
Mr. Goodrich to Mr. Lousada
Custom House, Collector’s
Office,
Boston,
May 4, 1865.
Sir: In reply to your letter of this date I
beg leave to state, that, no instructions from the department have
as yet been received at this office, covering your inquiry. On
receipt of same, will communicate with you.
I am, &c., &c.,
J. Z. GOODRICH, Collector.
F. Lousada, Esq.,
Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul,
Boston.
