KENNEDY TO ABERDEEN 181
No. 4. British Consulate Galveston. June 9th 1843 My Lord,
I have the honor to transmit enclosed the following documents relating to the trade and commerce and Maritime regulations of the Republic of Texas, and the Consulate of Galveston; namely:—
The present Tariff of the Republic of Texas. 182
Historical Abstract in reference to the Tariff.
Return of the British and Foreign Trade at Galveston for the year ending 31st December 1842. 182
Return of British Trade at Galveston for the year ending 31st December 1842. 182
Charges on Shipping in the ports of Texas—Pilotage Regulations at Galveston, 183 description of the National Flag of Texas. 184
Regulations for the Coasting Trade and Protection of Texian Shipping 185
Warehousing of Goods and Drawbacks 186
I beg to observe that I have drawn up the “Historical Abstract” for the purpose of rendering the series of official documents more complete, and have furnished trade Returns for 1842—the year previous to my arrival at my post—in order to note, by comparison with the Returns for the Current year, the Commercial progress, or retrogression, of the Republic.
William Kennedy. The Earl of Aberdeen, K. T.
On the 17th of January 1821, Moses Austin, a Native of New England, obtained permission from the Supreme Government of the Eastern Internal Provinces of Mexico, to introduce three hundred families as Colonists from Louisiana into Texas.
In consequence of Moses Austin's death, his project of Colonization was taken up and prosecuted by his Son, Stephen, who was obliged, in 1822, to apply to the Authorities of revolutionized Mexico, for Confirmation of the privilege which had been conceded to his father by the Authorities of old Spain. On the 4th of January 1823, a Colonization law, approved by the Mexican Emperor Iturbide, was promulgated, and, on the 18th of February of the same year, an Imperial Decree was issued, empowering Austin to found a Colony under the provisions of the general law.
A revolutionary Movement having displaced Iturbide, and the Government which succeeded him, having decreed the Nullity of all Imperial titles, Austin was Constrained to Solicit the Confirmation of his Concession from the Congress of Mexico. This he obtained on the 14th of April 1823, which may, therefore, be recorded as the legal date of the Commencement of Anglo American Colonization in Texas.
To encourage the settlement of her waste frontier lands, and thereby interpose a barrier against Indian aggression, and strengthen herself against Spanish attempts at reconquest, Mexico held out various inducements to the earlier Colonists of Texas, and, among them, a temporary exemption from tithes and taxes. By Article 24, of the Mexican Colonization Law of the 4th of January 1823, it was enacted that, during Six Years from the date of the Concession, the Colonists should not pay tithes, or duties, on their produce, nor any Contribution whatever, of a public kind.
By Article 25, of the same law, it was enacted that, during the Six years, immediately succeeding the termination of the first specified period the Colonists should pay half the tithes and half the Contributions, direct and indirect, that were paid by Native Citizens.
These enactments emanated from the General Government of Mexico.
The State of Coahuila and Texas, as a Member of the Mexican Federation, by Article 32, of a Colonization Law passed by its Legislature on the 24th March 1825, ordained that, during the first ten years,—reckoning from the Commencement of the Settlement,—Colonists within the limits of the State should be free from every kind of public Contribution, except such as were generally demanded to prevent, or repel, foreign invasion.—After ten years, new Settlers were to bear an equal proportion of the public burthens with Native Citizens.
The law containing these provisions was repealed by an Act dated April 28th 1832, which exempted all “New towns,” for ten years, from the time of their foundation, from every description of tax, except Contributions for defence against foreign invasion. For the Site of each of these “New towns,” the State appropriated four Square leagues of land.
The establishment of Custom-houses in Texas, and of garrisoned posts to enforce the Collection of the National Revenue, which followed the periods of exemption from taxation granted to the infant Settlements, formed with the Colonists prominent Causes of dissatisfaction, while, on the other hand, the infraction of fiscal enactments was regarded by the Government of Mexico as indicative of an ungrateful and rebellious Spirit on the part of Men invited by its liberality to occupy its fertile lands. In June 1832, a party of Colonists attacked and Captured the Mexican garrison at the port of Velasco.—in April 1833, petitions complaining of the Tariff, and praying for the privilege of free importation, for a term of three Years, of the most important Articles of Consumption, were transmitted by the Colonists to the General Government.—in the Autumn of 1834, a number of persons seized the Collector of Customs at Anahuac, and expelled the Military stationed at his post,—and, in the Autumn of 1835, Texas and Mexico were in a State of open Warfare.
In November 1835, a Convention was called in Texas, and a Provisional Government proclaimed, which Conferred on a Governor and Council the power “to impose and regulate Impost and Tonnage Duties, and to provide for their Collection under such Regulations as might be deemed expedient”
An Ordinance of the Provisional Government, imposing certain duties of Customs, passed on the 12th of December 1835, was repealed by another Ordinance on the 27th of the same Month, which placed a duty of twenty five per Cent, ad Valorem, on such goods, wares, and Merchandize as were “entitled to a debenture” in the port of Shipment, and a duty of fifteen per Cent, ad Valorem, on such as were not entitled to debenture.—Articles imported bona fide for the use of emigrants, including farming implements, household furniture, provisions, stores and Machinery of all kinds, were to be admitted free.
The declaration and establishment of the independence of Texas, and the adoption of a Constitution of its inhabitants, were followed by the Convocation of a Congress, which, on the 20th of December 1836, passed an Act “to raise a Revenue by Impost Duties,” under which the following charges were exigible:—
On Invoice price of Wines, Spirituous and Malt liquors 45 per Cent ad Valorem.
Silk goods, and all Manufactures of Silk 50 per Cent ad Valorem.
Sugar and Coffee 2½ ad Valorem.
Teas 25 ad Valorem.
Bread Stuffs 1 ad Valorem.
Iron and Castings—10 per Cent ad val.
Coarse Clothing, Shirtings, Shoes, blankets Kerseys, Sattinets, and Stuffs formed of a Mixture of Cotton and Wool. 10 per Cent ad Valorem.
All the non-ennumerated goods an ad Valorem duty of twenty five per Cent on invoice price.
Another, and more Comprehensive, Customs law was passed on the 12th of June 1837 “for the purpose of raising a revenue to aid in defraying the public expences, sustaining the public Credit, and securing to the public Creditors a fair Annual, or semi-Annual interest on the Shares of Stock in the funded debt.”
The Tariff underwent a farther revision by an Act passed on the 5th of February 1840, to which the law at present in operation is termed “Supplementary”
It is to be observed that the receipt of duties in National paper, profusely issued, on an unsound basis,—and, of course, rapidly depreciated,—has from time to time, caused the Tariff to appear much higher than it really was, and the successive endeavours to realize, Amidst the Confusion occasioned by a spurious Currency, an adequate, tangible revenue, has imparted a capricious character to the fiscal legislation of the Republic, discouraging and injurious to the Merchant and the emigrant. The duties, at present, are receivable only in gold and silver, or in “Exchequer Bills,” at their Market value.
There is a general and increasing feeling in favor of diminished duties, with a view to the ultimate adoption of a System of Free Trade, but no material alteration in this direction can well be anticipated until the Country is tranquillized in regard to its external relations
More than two thirds of the revenue derived from Customs is received at the port of Galveston. The Eastern Counties of Texas, which possess a comparatively dense population, Contribute but a small proportion to the public funds, owing to their geographical position, which secures impunity to the Smuggler. The gross amount received at the port of Galveston for the year ending the 31st of December. 1842, may be set down, in round numbers, at 110,000 (one hundred and ten thousand) dollars; the receipts for the same period at Brazos, Matagorda, Red River, San Augustine, and Sabine at 30,000 (thirty thousand) dollars. The average expense of Collection was a fraction above fourteen per Cent.
The attempts hitherto made to raise a revenue by direct taxation have been unsuccessful
[Endorsed.] No. 2. In Mr Consul Kennedy's despatch of 9th June. 1843.
Tonnage Duty. All Sailing Vessels entering any port of the Republic, from any foreign port or place, are chargeable with a tonnage duty of Sixty Cents per ton, and Steam boats with thirty Cents, according to registered tonnage.
Entrance. Any Ship, or Vessel, of less than one hundred tons burthen, pays one dollar and a half, of one hundred and upward, two dollars and a half,—
Clearance. For every clearance of Vessels of the above-mentioned burthen, the same fees respectively.
Port Entry. Two dollars.
Permit to land goods. Twenty Cents.
Bond taken Officially. Forty Cents.
Permit to land goods for exportation that may be entitled to debenture, or official Certificate. Forty Cents.
Bill of Health. Twenty Cents
For every document (registers excepted) required by any Merchant, Owner, or Master of any Ship, or Vessel, not before enumerated. Twenty Cents.
[Endorsed.] No. 5. In Mr. Consul Kennedy's despatch of 9th June. 1843.
ELLIOT TO ABERDEEN 189
No. 12. 190 Galveston, June 10th. 1843. My Lord,
Mer Majesty's Sloop “Scylla” arrived last night from Vera Cruz bringing me a Despatch from Mr. Percy Doyle Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Mexico of which I have the honor to transmit a Copy, as well as a Copy of the Communication I have thereupon addressed to the Secretary of State of this Republic. 191
The departure of the Steam boat for New Orleans, prevents me from adding more upon this occasion. I should mention however, that in the state of understanding between the Government of Her Majesty, and that of the King of the French concerning the close of the Contest between this Republic and Mexico, I have felt it right to communicate the subject of Mr Doyle's despatch in confidence to my Colleague Monsieur de Cramayel; And He concurs with me that every suitable effort should be made to dispose the Government of this Republic to meet these advances of the President of Mexico.
Charles Elliot To The Earl of Aberdeen, K. T. Downing Street
182. Omitted.
183. Omitted, since the matter submitted by Kennedy is a synopsis of “an act regulating the appointment and duties of pilots at the Port of Galveston,” approved February 4, 1842 (Gammel, Laws of Texas, II, 773, 774).
184. The description of the Texas flag is copied from the act approved January 25, 1839 (Ibid., II, 88).
185. Under this title Kennedy submitted a synopsis of “an act for the regulation of the coasting trade and the protection of Texian shipping,” approved January 4, 1841 (Ibid., II, 479-482).
186. Under this title Kennedy submitted a synopsis of “an act to provide and establish the warehousing system in the ports of this Republic,” approved February 5, 1840 (Ibid., II, 225-229).
187. F. O., Texas, Vol. 7.
188. F. O., Texas, Vol. 7.
189. F. O., Texas, Vol. 6.
190. No. 11, Elliot to Aberdeen, on the Eliza Russell claims, has been omitted.
191. Elliot to Jones, June 10, 1843. In Garrison, Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, III, 1090; in Am. Hist. Assoc. Report, 1908, II.
How to cite:
"CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE BRITISH ARCHIVES CONCERNING TEXAS, 1837-1846 VI ", Volume 016, Number 4, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 423 - 429. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v016/n4/article_3.html
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