Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1877
No. 27.
Mr. Canisius to Mr. Seward.
Bristol , October 25, 1877. (Received November 10.)
Sir: I transmit, as directed, to your Department, some observations relative to the expansion of trade from the United States to Bristol, and also the fixed amounts of dock and light-house dues to be paid on vessels entering this port and the port at the consular dependency, Gloucester, to which I have attached a statement of dues on vessels entering the new and commodious Avonmouth docks, opened recently, and to which I have referred on former occasions.
In the inclosed report I have also pointed out a mode how, according to my opinion, American manufactured articles, having not yet found a market here, could best be introduced into this country. If American manufacturers or merchants would club together to establish permanent “sample-rooms” in some of the important commercial places of Great Britain, probably many articles of merchandise, besides those now regularly shipped from the States to England, would find purchasers in this country.
I am, &c.,
Consul.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 29.]
report in regard to articles exported from the united states to the port of bristol.
In the appended statement it may be seen what kind of articles principally are exported from the United States into the port of Bristol. As regards merchandise or goods manufactured in the States which might advantageously be disposed of in the western markets of England, besides those named in the statement referred to, I have not yet been able to form an opinion. The merchants with whom I have conversed relative to the introduction of articles manufactured in the United States seemingly do not relish the idea of bringing anything else into this market but agricultural produce, such things as are required to suit the stomachs of the millions in this great beehive of human industry. The opinion here is that English manufactured articles ought to supply our markets, for which grain and provisions should be taken in exchange. But as, according to the natural law of trade, the man in quest of commodities buys where he can purchase cheapest, it is not unlikely that, by proper management, a number of articles now manufactured cheaper and better in the States could be introduced here, and after a little time find a ready sale. It appears to me that the most practical and efficient way to do this would be for our manufacturers, i. e., such as believe themselves to be able to compete with the English industries, to establish in the principal market-places of Great Britain “show-rooms,” where the different samples of such articles as are intended to be sold here would be exhibited. A trustworthy and efficient clerk, who might be controlled by the consular officer of the district where such show-rooms of American goods were on exhibit, if this were not against the rules and policy of the State Department, could show to callers the samples and give the American market prices. English goods of the same kind might be [Page 87] exhibited alongside the American articles, which at a glance would demonstrate the fact that our manufacture excel now their European brethren in the production of many articles calculated the comfort and well-being of the human race. Besides the articles mentioned in annexed statement, “Yankee” clocks from Connecticut, melodeons from Boston, some machinery for the manufacture of tin-ware are imported now and then from States into Bristol. Assorted wooden-ware, as buckets, wash-boards, broom-have shoe-pegs, &c., find now a steady and increased import. Leather, used by trun, and sole-leather, also seem to have here now entered upon quite a successful competition with the English articles of this class. Hardware has, so far, not found introduction into Bristol from United States ports, but, in my opinion, a large number of mechanics’ tools could successfully compete with the English in quality, adaptability, and price. American bleached cotton of the finest quality al&o is sold in some retail-shops, but not imported direct from the States into Bristol. In a future report I may be able to give the Department some more information relative to the possibility of introducing new American articles of merchandise into this country.
Statement showing the principal goods imported into the port of Bristol.
from new york.
- Beef, salted and fresh.
- Butter.
- Bacon.
- Cheese.
- Cotton-seed cake.
- Canned meats.
- Canned fruits.
- Flour.
- Grain, wheat, maize, barley.
- Leather, manufactured and unmanufactured.
- Oil-cake.
- Oils, various.
- Sugar, cut in squares.
- Tallow.
- Wooden-ware, assorted.
United States Consul.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 29.]
report in regard to taxes levied on vessels of all nations entering the port of bristol.
In response to the direction of the State Department, I have carefully prepared the annexed statement of all dues, inclusive of light-dues, exacted from every vessel, of whatever nationality, at the port of Bristol. I also have adjoined the dues which have to be paid by vessels discharging their cargoes at the new docks at Avonmouth. As will be seen the charges are nearly the same at both-mentioned places. No charges are made on taking in cargoes, and vessels may remain in the Bristol port as long as it suits their convenience without being liable to further charges than those appearing in the statements below. The light-dues are lower in Bristol than in any other port of Great Britain excepting Cardiff.
Dues on shipping entering the port of Bristol.
| £. | s. | d. | |
| For every vessel trading from the United States of America, Honduras, Surinam, and other ports in South America, West and East Indies, from Africa, all ports within the Straits of Gibraltar, the Southern Whale Fishery, the British Colonies, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, Spain without the Straits, and Sweden, per ton | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| For every vessel trading from Flanders, France without the Straits, Germany, Guernsey, Holland Jersey, Norway, and Zealand, per ton | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| For every vessel trading from Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland, or as a coaster, not including vessels from Cardiff, Newport, and other ports to the eastward of the Holmes, per ton | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| For every vessel from Cardiff, Newport, or any other port to the eastward of the Holmes (not being vessels one-third part of the lading of which shall consist of coal, scroff, iron, tin, tin plates, grain, copper, bricks, stone, coaltar, slate, bark, timber, or wood), viz: | |||
| If such vessel shall be under 40 tons’ burden, each voyage | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| If such vessel shall be 40 tons’ burden and under 75 tons, each voyage | 0 | 12 | 6 |
| If such vessel shall be 75 tons’ burden and under 100 tons, each voyage | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| If such vessel shall be 100 tons’ burden or upward, each voyage | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| For every vessel from Cardiff, Newport, or any other port to the eastward of the Holmes, one-third part of the lading of which shall consist of coal, scroff, iron, tin, tin plates, grain, copper, bricks, stone, coal-tar, slate, bark, timber, or wood viz: | |||
| In such vessel shall not exceed 75 tons’ burden, each voyage | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| In such vessel shall exceed 75 tons’ burden, each voyage | 0 | 7 | 6 |
N. B.—There are no dock-rates or other port charges payable on vessels leaving the port of Bristol.
Mayor’s dues, payable only by vessels coming from ports to the westward of the Holmes, and payable by such vessel not more than three times within the space of twelve calendar months.
| 60 tons and under 100 tons | 5 | s. per voyage. |
| 100 tons and under 150 tons | 10 | s. per voyage. |
| 150 tons and under 200 tons | 15 | s. per voyage. |
| 200 tons and under 250 tons | 30 | s. per voyage |
| 250 tons and upwards | 40 | s. per voyage. |
Water-bailiff’s and quay warden’s fees.
Table of fees payable on and for ships and other vessels upon every arrival at the quay and back of Bristol, Saint Augustine’s back, Redcliff’s backs, the quay in the parish of Clifton, called the merchants’ floating dock, the banks of the river Avon, and every part of the floating harbor within the city and county of Bristol, or any or either of such places.
| £. | s. | d. | |
| For every ship or other vessel of or above the burden of 60 tons (except boats, scows, and barges) | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| For every ship or other vessel under the burden of 60 tons (except as aforesaid) | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| For every boat, scow, or barge | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Anchorage and moorage.
| All coasting-vessels from ports westward of the Holmes, not exceeding 40 tons, each voyage | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Above 40 tons, each voyage | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Anchorage. | Moorage. | |
| All other vessels under 30 tons | 2s. 6d. each. | ½d. per ton. |
| All other vessels 30 tons and under 100 tons | 5s. each. | ½d. per ton. |
| All other vessels 100 tons and above | 5s. each. | 1d. per ton. |
Light-dues.
From American ports on the Atlantic (as far south as Demerara) to Bristol and vice versa, 58/16 pence per ton register and Burnham; thus a vessel 1,000 tons’ register would be charged—
| 1,000 tons @ 5 8/16 | 22 | 18 | 4 | |
| Add, | 7 | 6 | ||
| 23 | 5 | 10 | ||
| Less, | 12 | 16 | 2 | =55 per cent. abatement net. |
| £ 10 | 9 | 8 |
In addition to this, Cape Race is chargeable for ports north of New York (which is included) ⅛d. per ton register (1,000 tons 10s. 5d).
From or to East Indies, Australia, China, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, American ports on the Pacific, and west coast of Africa, port dues 4 12/16d. and Burnham; thus a vessel 1, 000 tons register would be charged—
| 1,000 tons @ 4 12/15d.= | 19 | 15 | 10 | |
| Add, | 7 | 6 | ||
| 20 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Less, | 11 | 1 | 10 | =55 per cent. abatement net. |
| £ 9 | 1 | 6 |
Mediterranean ports Is. extra per vessel for Gibraltar, subject to 55 per cent abatenent.
Custom-House, Bristol, October 23, 1877.
[Page 89]Bristol port and channel dock dues.
avonmouth.
- First class.—For every vessel entering, trading from Africa, Surinam, and all other ports in South America, Honduras, the United States of America, the East and West Indies, and all ports within the Straits of Gibraltar, the Southern whale fishery, the British colonies, Portugal, Russia, Spain without the straits, and Sweden, with liberty to reload for any of these ports, per register ton, 1s. 4d.
- Second class—For every vessel trading from Flanders, France without the straits, Germany, Guernsey, Holland, Jersey, Norway, and Zealand, with liberty to reload for any of these ports, per register ton, 8d.
- Third class.—For every vessel trading from Ireland, Isle-of-Man, Scotland, or as a coaster, not including vessels from ports eastward of the Holmes, with liberty to reload for any of these ports, per register ton, 5d.
- Fourth class.—For every vessel from Cardiff, Newport, or any other port to the eastward of the Holmes, or to load for the above ports, not being vessels one-third part of the lading of which shall consist of coal, scroff, iron, tin, tin plates, grain, copper, bricks, stone, bark, timber, or wood, per register ton, 2½d.; minimum charge, 2s. 6d.
- Fifth class.—For every vessel trading from Cardiff, Newport, or any other port to the eastward of the Holmes, or to load for any of the above ports, and one-third part of whose lading shall consist of coal, scroff, iron, tin, tin plates, grain, copper, bricks, stone, coal-tar, slates, bark, timber, or wood, per register ton, 1½d.; minimum charge. 2s. 6d.
Vessels entering to load will be subject to the same rates as inward vessels, according to port of destination.
Vessels entering to load parts of cargoes from import warehouses, from the quays, or from vessels discharging, providing the quantity does not exceed the register-tonnage of the vessel, half the dues, according to port of destination.
Vessels’ entering to lie up, except for the purposes of repairs in the dry-dock, per register ton, 6d.; rent, 2d. per ton per week.
Vessels using any wharf, jetty, or quay of the company, but not entering the dock for landing or shipping passengers, animals, or goods, per register ton, 2d.
Gloucester dock dues.
| Per ton register | ||||
| If stopping at Sharpness. | If proceeding to Gloucester. | |||
| foreign vessels. | s. | d. | s. | d. |
| For all vessels under 150 tons’ register, arriving from any foreign port | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| For all other vessels, viz, from Europe, except east of Gibraltar | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| From Canada and other North American ports | 0 | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| coasting. | ||||
| For all vessels arriving from Ireland. Scotland, or the Channel Islands | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| All other coasters | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Light-house dues.
For a vessel of 480 tons’ register, and coming from North American ports, £5. 0s. 8d.