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per ton levied on every ship they purchased from a foreign country was insignificant, the restrictions, imposed on all materials necessary for the construction and equipment of vessels in their own country, were of a harassing and vexatious character. The measure in itself was good, but various classes of Protectionists, fearing that numerous articles might be imported which could be used for other than shipbuilding purposes, and thus interfere with their own particular branches of trade, had influence enough with the Legislature to obtain the issue of another decree[1] on the 8th June following, which nullified*
- ↑ The Articles of this Decree were as follows:— Article 1. From the date of the promulgation of the present Decree shall be admitted, free of import duty, conformably to Article 1 of the Law of May 19, 1866, with respect to the Mercantile Marine, all raw or manufactured objects entering into the construction, rigging, equipment, and maintenance of steam or sailing-vessels, of wood or iron, destined for commerce. Articles such as moveable furniture, bedding, linen, plates and dishes, cutlery, table glass, and, in general, all objects intended for personal use, shall not be considered as forming part of the equipment. Art. 2. Shipbuilders, and manufacturers of articles destined for the construction, equipment, rigging, or the maintenance of vessels, can alone enjoy the benefit of the provisions of the present Decree as far as raw materials are concerned. To these articles they will have to prove their title at the Custom-house. Art. 3. Declarations made at the Custom-house for the admission of articles duty free must bear, with respect to every kind of produce, the particulars required by the Custom-house Regulations for the payment of the dues. Art. 4. Importers must engage, by an undertaking guaranteed in due form, to prove, within a period not exceeding one year, that the raw material admitted free, or the products manufactured with such material, or, finally, the machines and machinery, detached portions of machines, and other articles completely finished and temporarily admitted free, have been applied to the use of vessels. If, at the expiration of the term of one year, the before-mentioned proofs have not been produced, the Custom-house will collect the
