Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 23, Ed. 1, Saturday, June 24, 1837 Page: 1 of 4

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FOE. II. NO 93.
WE LABOR FOR OUR COUNTRY.
WHOIJB NUMBER. 7
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PUBLISHED BY CRUGER & MOORE, j
PUBLIC PRINTERS.
HOUSTON, SATUKUAY, JUNE 24, 1887.
TERMS, $5 PER ANN., IN ADVANCE.
ADVERTISING, USUAL PRICES.
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, AN ACT, - .
7b rati e a. Public JZesenxe iy Impost Duties.
Whereas, it is deemed expedient to raise fe. public revenue
by impost duties, to aid in defraying the public expenses, sus-
taining the public credit, and securing to the public creditors a
'fair annual or semi-annual interest on their shares of stock in
the funded debt:
' Section 1. Therefore be it enacted by the senate and home of
iYrwi'''"'w vj wi i cjjiiji,iL. yj j. DO.UO) hi, uuiigress assemoied. mat
from and after the passage of this act, there shall be imposed on
all goods, wares, and merchandise, which may be introduced into
this republic, the duties hereinafter designated, which shall ftg
JeyiedUnd collected in conformity with the following classifica-
tion, Viz:
Classification of duties to be exacted at the several ports of entry in
Texas on goods imported into the republic.
Provisions and groceries, bread stuffs, including corn, wheat,
barley, and oats, free: beef, pickled, .free: pork, salted and
smoked, free: butter six and one fourth cents per pound:, codfish
one dollar per hundred pounds: mackerel one' dollar and fifty
cents per barrel: salmon two dollars per barrel: herrings one
uuutu tcx Uttllcl ueuiiuga, in uoies, one aojiar per hundred
pounds: shad one dolllar and fifty cents per barrel: neat's
tongues, pickled or smoked, free: potatoes, onions, beets, beans,
and rice, free: coffee one cent per pound: sugar, brown, two
cents per pound: sugar, white, four cents per pound: molasses,
or syrup, five cents per gallon: tea, black, twelve and a half
-cents per pound : tea., green, twenty-five cents per pound :
spices; pepper, five cents per pound: pimento, ar allspice, five
cents per pound ; cinnamon, cloves, and other spices, ten
cents per pound: musftard twenty-five per cent, ad valorem:
pickles twenty-five per cent, ad valorem : fruits, apples or
peaches, twenty-five per cent, ad valorem; preserved in brandy
or other spirits, twenty-five per cent, ad valorem: raisins, figs,
almonds, filberts, &c, three cents per pound: oils, salad, sper-
maceti, whale, rape, and linseed, fifteen per cent, ad valorem:
candles, tallow, two cents per pound, spermaceti three cents per
pound, wax, four cents per pound: soap, yellow, four cents per
pound: salt three centser bushel of fifty pounds: vinegar free.
Other articles of provisions and groceries, not herein enume-
rated, twenty-five per cent, ad valorem. Liquors, spirits, whis-
key, first and second proof, twenty-five cents per gallon; third
and fourth proof, thirty-seven and a half cents ner gallon; above
fourth proof, fifty cents per gallon: brandy, first and second
proof, fifty cents per gallon; third and fourth proof, sixty-two
and a half cents per gallon; above fourth proof, seventy-five
cents per gallon: gin, same as brandy: rum, same as brandy:
-all other spirits not enumerated, including cordials and Jquors
-of all kinds, will pay the sameduties as brandy. Wines, claret,
-twenty-five cents per gallon: other red French wines, twenty-
five cents per gallon: Oporto, or port wine, thijty-seven and a
"half cents per gallon: French white wines, twenty-five cents per
gallon: Champagne, one dollar per gallon: Madeira, seventy--Jive
cents per gallon: Teneriffe, thirty-seven and a half cents
cper gallon: Spanish white wines, twenty-five cents per gallon:
.Spanish red wines twenty-five cents per gallon: German wines,
Hock, Rhenish, &c, fifty cents per gallon. MaMt liquors of all
'descriptions, free. Champagne in bottles, per dozen, two dol
lars: omer wines, per one aozen Dottles, one dollar and fifty cents:
all other liquors in bottles, per dozen, two dollars. Dry goods-
all articles of which wool forms a component part, twenty-five
per cent, ad valorem: all articles of which linen forms a com
ponent part, twenty-nve per cent, ad valorem: all articles of
which cotton lorms a component part, fifteen per cent, ad va-
lorem: all articles of which silk forms a component part, thirty
per cent, ad ralorem: wearing apparel, ready made, and other
-personal baggage in actual use, and tools of trade, free: wearing
apparel, ready made, otherwise imported, thirty per cent, ad
valorem. Shoes and Jboots twenty-five per cent, ad valorem.
Hats, of all descriptions;, twenty-five per cent, ad valorem. Lea-
ther; all articles of which leather forms a component part
twenty per cent., ad valorem. Jewelry, thirty-three and
-one third per cent, ad valorem. Miscellaneous articles, iron,
implements of .iron for purposes of husbandry, su.cn as ploughs,
harrows, boes, and axes, twelve and a half percent, ad valorem.
Tools of all descriptions for carpenters, cabinet makers, joiners,
and blacksmiths, fifteen per 'cent, ad valorem. Bar iron, fifty
cents per hundred poundE. Nails and screws, one dollar per
"hundred pounds. All other' articles of which iron or steel form
a component part, not herein enumerated, twenty per cent, ad
-valorem. Copper; all articles of whiph copper forms a compo-
nent part, twenty per cent, ad valorem. Lead; all articles of
which lead forms a component part, twenty per cent, ad valo-
rem. Tin; all articles of which tin forms a component part,
twenty per cent, ad valorem. Brass; all articles of which brass
forms a component part, twenty per cent, ad valorem. Pewter;
all articles of which pewter forms a component part, twenty per
cent ad valorem. Glass, and glass ware, twenty per cent, ad
valorem. Earthen ware, twenty per cent, ad valorem. Ivory
twenty pfer cent, ad valorem. Drugs and medicines of all de-
crsiptions, twenty per cent, ad valorem. Paints of all descrip-
tions, twenty per cent, ad valorem. Furniture of all classes, fif-
teen per cent, ad valorem. Fire arms and munitions of war of
all descriptions, free. Carnages; pleasure carriages of all de-
scriptions, twentyfiveper cent, ad valorem. Wagons, carts,
drays, &c, ten per centra valorem. Playing cards, fifty per cent,
ad valorem. Coal, free. -Corks, twelve and a half cents per
pound. Combs of all descriptions, twenty-five per cent, ad va-
j'forem. Cordage and bale rope, two cents per pound. Lumber
oi an descriptions, tree. .Building stone, bricks, tiles, or slates,
free. Lime for building, free. Tobacco, in segars, two dollars
and fifty cents per thousand: tobacco in anv other form than in
segars, cnirty per cent. aa. valorem. Seeds ot all descriptions,
free. Brushes of all kinds thirty per cent, ad valorem. Paper;
blank post folioj or quarto paper, ten per cent ad valorem: blot-
ting, cartridge, and copying paper, seven per cent'ad valorem,
Saltpetre, six and one fourth cents per pound; and all othe-
articles, not herein enumerated, shall pay a duty of twenty-five
per cent, ad valorem.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, and so forth, That the fdl
lowing desientaefl places, with their mven boundaries, be madp
portsjjof entry, and within which bounds custom houses shall be
established, and collectors of the public revenue shall be ap-
pointed, and reside at the several ports for which they were ap-
pointed, viz. Commencing at the Rio Grande, and following the
coast of the GulfEast to the mouth of San Antonio river, shall at
present compose tnesoutn western collectoral district, which shall
be called the district of Aransaso. Commencing at the mouth of
iue oan Antonio river, and tollowing the coast ol the Gull east-
wardly to the mouth of Cedar Lake, shall comnose one cnlWt-
oral district, to be called the district of Matagorda. Commfinw
ing at the mouth of Cedar Lake Creek, and following the coast
oi vtne urun east to tne mouth oi uyster creek, shall compose
one collectoral district, which shall be called the district of Bra
zos. Commencing at the mouth of Oyster creek, and following
the coast of the Gulf east to Bolivar Point, shall compose one
collectoral district, which shall be called the district of Galves
ton. Commencing: at Bolivar Point and following thp coast of
the Gulf to the middle of Sabine bay, thence up the bay to the
uiuuut ui uie river oamne, ana up witn that stream so tar as to
include a certain ferry, known as Lowe's ferry, shall compose
one collectoral district, which shall be called the district of Sa-
Dme. Commencing at Lowe's ferry, and following the Sabine
up to the thirty-second degree of north latitude, thence north to
Red river, shall compose one collectoral district, which shall bp.
called the district of San Augustine. A custom house shall be
established within the limits of each collectoral district, at such
ppint in each as the president and secretary of the treasury shall
direct, for the time being; until from proper surveys, the most
elligiblepoints shall be ascertained for permanent locations.
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, and so forth, That all goods,
wares or merchandize which may be introduced into this repub-
lic, shall be entered ot the custom house of the district in which
they may or have been landed in conformity with the law. And
all persons neglecting, evading, or refusing to comply with the
provisions of this law, whether citizen or alien, shall be deemed
smugglers, and treated accordingly. That every master of ves-
sels arriving in any of the ports of this republic, shall within
twenty-four hours after his arrival,' and previous to discharging
any part of his cargo, present to the collector of said port a ma-
nifest of all the cargo on board his vessel ; which manifest must
exhibit at length the marks and numbers of packages, and the
quantity of each article constituting the cargo, together with the
Hctuies ui cue respective consignees, in detail t of whiph a nen-
alty of five hundred dollars shall be enforced and collected by
said collector Jor the benefit of this republic. And all captains
wilfully making or returning false manifests, with an intent to
defraud, shall in addition to a fine of one thousand dollars, to he
exacted by the collector, be thereafter incompetent to enter or
clear a vessel in any of the ports of this republic; and both mas-
ter and vessel held accountable.
Sec 4. Be it further enacted. &c That each rnnsio-nee
shall be required to make duplicate entries of all goods, wares,
or merchandise to them consigned: which entries shall contain
at length, the marks and numbers of packages, together with
their contents, quantities and value, and to which the following
oath shall be subscribed in presence of the collector: "I, A'B,
do solemnly swear that the foregoing entry contains a full, true,
and just account of all the goods consigned to me, together with
the cost thereof, now on board, (here mention the vessel and
captain's name, and where from,) to the best of my knowledge
and belief, so help me God." And it shall be the duty of the
collector, or the officers appointed under him, to take an account
of all'goods so imported; and all goods found over and above the
quantity represented in the entries, shall be confiscated for the
use oi me repuonc. And it snail be also the duty of said col-
lectors, to have all dutiable goods securp.lv lodp-ed in nnhlir
stores, until the duties are properly secured: they shall in all
taaes, wnere ine duties are not paid down, require two or more
responsible securities, as in their judgment may be deemed pro-
per, for the payment of all such duties, accruing- to this mvpm.
ment'in conformity with the foregoing tariff.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, &o, That where any im-
porter, factor, or consignee, whose duties, by any one importa-
tion, shall amount to five hundred dollars or upwards, that the
amount shall be divided and securely bonded, payable, the one
half in three, and the other half in six months from the date of
entry; and on all sums under jive hundred dollars, and over one
hundred dollars, three months; and on all sums under one hun-
dred dollars the duties must be paid in cash. And on all fnreio-n
vessels entering the ports of this republic, there shall be collected
..- u,.oi pCi tuUj toiinuge uuiics; uuu cuso sucn iees ot omce
for clearingj-registering, and transferring Vessels, as may be law-
ful to receive in the Dorts of the United States of Amprira fnr
the same services. And it is also further provided, that the col-
lectors shall give bond and security in the sum of twenty-five
thousand dollars, conditioned for their true and faithful perform-
ance; and be required to make their returns nuarfcprlv in th
treasury department, showing the number and class of vpsspI
which have entered, their separate and aggregate amount of
tonnage, together with the aggregate amount of goodE, when
and by whom introduced, the amount of money, date, and from
whom received, the amount bonded, and when payable; and
that the same be published quarterly by order of the secretary
of the treasury. And anv collector of th y,hi; mm.nft .i,-.
is lound guilty of embezzling the same, or conniving, aiding, or
b, . UwMUUtu6 mc puuuu ueusury, snail oe deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof before a
competent tribunal, shall be nunished anrorrfi'ncrW mi
from office, and rendered incapable ever thereafter of holding
any office of honor, trust, or profit in this republic.
Sec 6. Be it further enarJuri- far... Thnf all 1 (,,.
of the public revenue before entering n the duties of their
offices shall take the oath prescribed for all public officers, be-
fore any person competent to administer thp samo whinh noth
shall be subscribed, and together with the bond shall be file'd in
tue Aieasury department. Jind be xt further provided, That
each principal collector shall be entitled to have nnn nnm'M!
clerk : and algo to emnlov. whpn nprpscarr har- j,-j:
officers, as from time to time he may find neessary : as well also
.o wuiuiuii jduui. ere, wnen tney may oe needed; at all times how-
ever using a prudent and strict economv for fhp nrnfti, rtf
the public revenue, which said subordinate clerks, officers, and
laborers, he shall allow such pay as a necessary prudence shall
direct, payable out of the proceeds of the collections by him
Sec 7. Be it further enacted, &c, That the principal
collectors of the public revenue shall receive as compensation
for their services, viz. Allowingvtwo thousand.dollars to be a
fair minimum per annum salary, which may be increased or di-
minished, jis hereinafter provided, to wit On all monies receiv-
ed and paid into the treasury, thev shall hp pnfH led tn ro;t
two and a half per cent, until the commissions shall amount to
the minimum salary: andtheonehalfofonpnprrpnf, on nil cmo
after the commissions shall have run un to ihe minimum c-lr- .
then and in that case the commissions to be the salary
Sec 8, Be it further enacted, &c, That, all goods,-
wares, and merchandize which may be introduced into this
republic by land, shall be entered at the proper custom-
house of the district in which they may be introduced, under the
pains and penalties of this law. And all persons evading or at-
tempting to evade the provisions of this law, shall be considered
guilty of a misdemeanor, and punished accordingly. And all
the goods, wares, or merchandize smuggled, or attempted to be
introduced in contravention to the provisions of this latf, shall be
subject to seizure and confiscation, together with the vehicle by
which they were conveyed; and after thirty days' public notice
shall be sold for cash, the one half of the proceeds of which shall
go to the informer, and the otherto the public treasury, after de-
ducting the expenses of such sale.
Sec 9. Be it further 'ennrtprf. Ar.r.. Thaf fho t,;
pal collector of each port shall have a deputy, who shall also
l.c we uuui oi omce, and wnose duty it shall be to perform the
duties of the principal, when from any unavoidable cause he may
be rendered incompetent to nerform his dnHps. ro.niroi W
law: and afsuch ports as would permit, the chief clerk may be
appointed. And be it further provided, That the principal col-
lectorshall be held accountable for the arts of hianHr nA
all other subordinate officers by him entrusted. And the prin
cipal or deputy shall have power to administer oaths in all cases
nertainincr fo their rlnfioc Tkiv oVill 4- U J .
r -- o v.j. i.i,.j ouuu uuu uc lemuvea irom
office during the administration under which they were appoint-
ed, without cause. And be it further provided, That all duties
or public dues of whatever nature or description, shall be collect-
ed or paid in gold, silver, or such current bank paper as the au-
thorities shall from time to time direct. And all debts due to
this republic for duties or other public revenue, shall be consid
ered and have preference and privilege over all othar claims.
B. T. ARCHER,
Speaker of the house of representatives. '
JESSE GRUMES,
President of the senate pro tern.
Approved, 12th June, 1837.
SAM. HOUSTON.-
AN ACT s
Supplementary to an act entitled "an act to establish a general
land office for the republic of Texas." '
Section 1. Be it enacted bv the Seriate and TTmise nf J?M...M
tatives of the Republic of Texas in congress assembled, That tfee
land office, as established by the act Dassed on the fnrcnfTr..aAA,
day of December last, shall go into operation on the first day of
October next, unless the country shall be invaded to an extent
inducing the president to call out at least one third of the militia
for its defence; in which case the president shall have power to
close the land office by proclamation, until such invasion has
cermmacea.
Sec 2. Be it further enacted, &c, That the whole republic
of Texas shall be sectionized as follows: One base line and four
meridian lines shall be run in such manner as the commissioner
of the general land office shall direrf. m-imfjej. tv.i . inonh'nno
w .-ww, lUUlutU) Willi. UU Jv.w
or surveys heretofore made agreeably to law, shall be affected
uj oui.il cnu,,,ug5 ""o proviaea Jurther, that these sectional
lines shall not affect the Drevions or future enruorc of land; hut
all lands surveyed for individuals, or for the government, lying
un xlci uuia5, suaii iront one hall ot the square on tne water,
the line running at right anfrlps with thP general rmirse of tht
stream; and all others, not on water courses, shall be square, if
previous lines will permit; and if not, to be run as circumstance
will permit.
SEC 3. Be it further rnnrlrd. tfce. That in all rases th
registers and receivers of the land offices shall be furnished with
trntten instructions bv the commissioner of the crpneral Und
office, for their government.
Sec 4. Be itfitrther enacted, &c.r That after the first day
of October next, no individual arriving, in the country shall be
entitled to land as an emigrant; arid from this time forward, no
more bounty land sbalj be given as,an, inducement to any one(to
enter into service in the army of Texagw
oec o. ise it further enacted, &c, That it is hereby de-
clared, that all empresarios' contracts haying ceased on the day"
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