No. 424.

Mr. Bell to Mr. Bayard.

No. 57.]

Sir: Referring to my No. 56 of the 14th instant, in which I remarked that the minister of finance had stated that he expected to realize a benefit of 1,000,000 florins from a revision of the colonial customs tariff, I now have the honor to report that it is understood that the following projects will be submitted to the Chambers, some of which have a material bearing on the commerce of the United States.

It is proposed to reduce the export duties in the colonies as follows: Coffee, from 3 to 1 florin per 100 kilograms; sugar, from fl. .18 the kilogram to fl. .09; tea, the duty to be abolished.

On the other hand, it is proposed to increase the duty on petroleum by 2 florins the hectoliter (from which source alone it is expected that a sum of 800,000 florins will be realized). It is proposed to raise the import duty on tobacco to 16 florins the 100 kilograms, and on cigars and cigarettes to 20 florins the 100 kilograms.

The following articles and products at present subject to an import duty of 6 per cent, ad valorem, it is proposed to raise to 10 per cent. Pottery, eatables, glassware, manufactured articles of gold, silver, iron, steel, copper, zinc, lead, tin, leather, paper, perfumery, playing cards, clocks, watches, cooperage, flour, and meats. Musical instruments, hitherto free, to pay 10 per cent, ad valorem. Import duty on tea and beer to be doubled.

These proposed changes in the tariff have not yet been presented to the Chambers in proper form, but it is generally believed that a bill of a similar nature will soon be formulated.

According to estimates for the year 1886, without these contemplated modifications, it is expected to realize through the colonial customs import duties 7,500,000 florins and export duties 2,500,000 florins.

I have, &c.,

ISAAC BELL, Jr.