In subjection to article 3 of the decree of June 28, 1871, and in accord
with the council of ministers,
I hereby authorize the minister of ultramar to present to the Córtes the
project of law relative to conceding bounties in the Philippines to
foreign merchandise carried under the national flag.
The Minister of Ultramar,
Cristóbal Martin
de Herrera.
To the Córtes:
By royal decree of June 28, 1871, in view of the reasons set forth by
the minister of ultramar, in accord with the council of ministers
and in conformity with the council of state, there was accorded the
concession of bounties in the Philippines upon foreign merchandise
carried under the national flag; but as this reform postponed the
effects of article 3 of the decree-law of December 29, 1868, whereby
was reduced to the extent of 50 per cent, the discriminating duty of
the flag (derecho diferencial de la bandera), which was to be kept
for the space of two years, there was presented to the Córtes on the
3d of July, 1871, a project of law to the end that the aforesaid
decree of June 28 should, have the force of a law. That project not
having been discussed, the undersigned minister, with the consent of
His Majesty, and in accord with the council of ministers, has the
honor to reproduce it in the following form:
Project of law.
Sole article. Goods, fruits, and effects,
carried to the Philippine Islands from foreign ports under the
national flag, shall pay the customs duties, with the following
reductions:
Twenty-five per cent., the importations effected from July 1, 1871,
to June 30, 1873;
Twenty per cent., those effected from July 1, 1873, to June 30,
1875;
Fifteen per cent., those effected from July 1, 1875, to June 30,
1877; and
Ten per cent., those which may be effected from July 1, 1877, to June
30, 1879, on which day the bounty shall definitively cease.
Madrid, May 18, 1877.
The Minister of Ultramar,
CRISTÓBAL MARTIN DE
HERRERA.
