COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS. THE NEW RUSSIAN TARIFF. THE following is a table of the imported and exported articles of merchandise, at the entrance or at the exportation of which the custom-house duties are lessened, or entirely repealed; also of merchandise prohibited up to the present day, the admission of which is now authorized: Cinnamon and cinnamon flower, wild cinnamon, cloves, and wild honey, per poud, 50 Coral, manufactured,.... 0 50 .......... Crustaceous and all shell fish, per pound,.... 6 0 Cudbear, ... 1 50 ...... Fish, salted or prepared, with the exception of herrings, anchovies, and sardines, per pound,..... 250 ............ ........... Gauzes and crapes,................ 10 0 Indigo, under its denominations known in Russia, per poud,.. 3 50 Native purified mineral alkali-phosphate of soda, per poud,......... 0 30 Nutmegs, per pound,........... 9 0 Ostrich feathers and plumes of all kinds for hats, dyed or undyed, marabout feathers, birds of Paradise, and others of the same kind, plumes for officers, with the box, Patés of all kinds, with their pans, per pound,..... 10 0 0 60 Pearls, manufactured, composition, glass, metal, iris root, and ear pendants, &c.,. 0 50 2.50 Platina, wrought, except when used in arts or manufactures, an ad valorem duty,. 0 35 2. 0 Pottery, gilded, silvered, bordered, painted, or in bas-reliefs of different colors, and variegated of all kinds,...................................... 9.0 Ware of this kind, which will be imported to part of 1847, shall not pay more than 6 silver roubles per pound. Pottery and Fayence, white, or of single colors, without gold, or silver, or design, per poud,.......... 3494 Pottery-ware of this kind, which will be imported to part of 1847, will not pay more than 2 roubles 324 silver copecks per poud. Quercitron bark, per pound,..... Red sandal of Brazil, or wood of Pernambuco, Campeachy wood, or blue sandal, Japan, or Sapan wood, and wood of the same kind, under various other names, in blocks or chips, per berkovitz,................................. Woollen fabrics of different kinds, per pound,.. Yellow sandal, sumac, fustic, and other woods of yellow dye, not otherwise named, in blocks and chips,. The same in dust,. DUTY FREE. 0 25 0.80 350 075 0 40 075 1 50 12 0 030 0 30 0 35 8 0 3.50 2 80 0 80 3.50 Marble and bronze antiquities, of all sizes. Ornamental marbles of all colors, such as chimney-pieces, vases, lamps, monuments of all kinds, when they are works of art, and have ornaments sculptured upon them, or fastened upon them in bronze. Platina, in all its forms. Platina vases and instruments of platinum used in workshops. The exportation of platinum, in all its forms, is duty free through all the custom-houses of the empire. Sculptured objects of all kinds, in ivory, wood, or metal, and works of art in baked clay. Works in sculpture of modern artists, such as statues, busts, bas-reliefs, in marble or bronze, with their pedestals, if the latter are altogether or partially sculptured. The free importation of all those objects of art mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs is only permitted by the custom-house of St. Petersburgh. In cases of doubt as to whether the articles to be introduced really belong to the category of works of art, the decision will be left to the Academy of Fine Arts, who, for that purpose, shall be invited to assist in the examination of the said objects. The present table will be put in force at the time of its reception at each custom-house. Imported merchandise deposited in the custom-houses which have not paid the duty on the day of the reception of the present table, will be released on the payment of the duties above mentioned. The operation of the present table, except so far as it affects platinum, for which there is a special proviso, extends to all the custom-houses and barriers where the tariff of the 28th of November, 1841, for the regulation of the commerce of the empire with Europe, is in force. SPANISH IMPORT DUTIES ON COTTON. The following royal ordonance, modifying the import duties on cotton, has just been promulgated by the Spanish government: Art. 1. Cotton from foreign ports and colonies, which are not places of production, will continue to pay the present duty. 2. Cotton coming direct from the foreign ports where it is produced, will pay a customs duty of 5 per cent on the valuation of 256 reals the quintal. 3. If a vessel arriving at the Havana, or at Puerto Rico, demand the depot of their cargo without discharging, it shall be granted, on paying a duty of 1 per cent, and the same amount on leaving, and a duty of 3 per cent at the port of its destination. 4. Cotton coming from the Spanish colonies, and of Spanish production, will continue to pay the present duty. 5. The preceding provisions only relate to cotton imported in Spanish bottoms; cotton in foreign vessels will continue to pay the duties hitherto levied. JOURNAL OF BANKING, CURRENCY AND FINANCE. CURIOUS FACTS IN RELATION TO COLONIAL CURRENCY. MASSACHUSETTS. 1652-Silver shillings, sixpences, threepences, coined at the rate of six shillings to a heavy piece of eight. 1706-The courts of judicature chancered silver to eight shillings per ounce, in satisfaction of debts, being nearly at the rate of six shillings to a light piece of eight. 1729-Province Bills worth twenty-nine shillings to the silver ounce. 1690-1-First emission of Province Bills, to pay expenses of the expedition to Canada. 1691-£10,000 of Province Bills cancelled and burnt. 1701-£9,000 of Province Bills re-emitted. Bills of this period were called "Old Charter Bills," and were at the rate of six shillings to a heavy piece of eight. 1702-New emission to be cancelled by taxes in two years. 1704, time extended two years; 1707, three years; 1709, four years; 1710, five years; 1711, six years; 1715, seven years; 1721, twelve years; 1722, thirteen years. 1729-Exchange with Great Britain, 450 per cent advance, or five and a half New England for one sterling. RHODE ISLAND. 1710-First emission of Province Bills towards defraying expenses of expedition against Port Royal, in Nova Scotia. 1715-Exchange with Great Britain, 65 per cent. CONNECTICUT. 1709-First emission of Colony Bills. VIRGINIA. 1680-Value of silver coin altered by Lord Culpepper, to defraud an English regiment. 1739-Ounce of silver worth six shillings eightpence; ounce of gold £5. NORTH CAROLINA. 1739-£40,000 outstanding upon loan, and £12,500 upon funds of taxes. Exchange at 10 North Carolina for 1 sterling; in drawing upon London, 12 to 14 for 1 sterling. SOUTH CAROLINA. 1702-First emission towards defraying expenses of expedition against St. Augustine. 1711-Emission for expedition against North Carolina Indians. 1715-Emission for expedition against Southern Indians. 1739-About £250,000 outstanding. Exchange with Great Britain, 8 South Carolina for 1 sterling. THE UNITED STATES SUB-TREASURY BILL. The following is an official copy of the act passed at the last session of Congress, "to provide for the collection, safekeeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue." It was approved by the President of the United States, August 5th, 1846. AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE BETTER ORGANIZATION OF THE TREASURY, AND FOR THE COLLECTION, SAFEKEEPING, TRANSFER, AND DISBURSEMENT OF THE PUBLIC REVENUE. Whereas, by the fourth section of the act entitled "An act to establish the Treasury Department," approved September two, seventeen hundred and eighty-nine, it was provided that it should be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and keep the moneys of the United States, and to disburse the same upon warrants drawn by the Secretary of the Treasury, countersigned by the Comptroller, and recorded by the Register, and not otherwise; and whereas it is found necessary to make further provisions to enable the Treasurer the better to carry into effect the intent of the said section in relation to the receiving and disbursing the moneys of the United States: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the rooms prepared and provided in the new treasury building at the seat of government for the use of the Treasurer of the United States, his assistants, and clerks, and occupied by them, and also the fire-proof vaults and safes erected in said rooms for the keeping of the public moneys in the possession and under the immediate control of said Treasurer, and such other apartments as are provided for in this act as places of deposit of the public money, are hereby constituted and declared to be, the treasury of the United States. And all moneys paid into the same shall be subject to the draft of the Treasurer, drawn agreeably to appropriations made by law. §2. And be it further enacted, That the mint of the United States, in the city of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, and the branch mint in the city of New Orleans, in the State of Louisiana, and the vaults and safes thereof, respectively shall be places of deposit and safekeeping of the public moneys at those points, respectively; and the treasurer of the said mint and branch mint, respectively, for the time being, shall be assistant treasurers under the provisions of this act, and shall have the custody and care of all public moneys deposited within the same, and shall perform all the duties required to be performed by them, in reference to the receipt, safekeeping, transfer, and disbursements of all such moneys, according to the provisions hereinafter contained. §3. And be it further enacted, That the rooms which were directed to be prepared and provided within the custom-houses in the city of New York, in the State of New York, and in the city of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, for the use of receivers general of public moneys, under the provisions of the act entitled "An act to provide for the collection, safekeeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue," approved July fourth, eighteen hundred and forty, shall be for the use of the assistant treasurers hereinafter directed to be appointed at those places, respectively; as shall be also the fire-proof vaults and safes prepared and provided within said rooms for the keeping of public moneys collected and deposited with them, respectively; and the assistant treasurers, from time to time appointed at those points, shall have the custody and care of the said rooms, vaults, and safes, respectively, and of all the public moneys deposited within the same, and shall perform all the duties required to be performed by them, in reference to the receipt, safekeeping, transfer, and disbursements of all such moneys, according to the provisions of this act. §4. And be it further enacted, That the offices, with suitable and convenient rooms, which were directed to be erected, prepared, and provided for the use of the receivers general of public money, at the expense of the United States, at the city of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, and at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, under the act entitled "An act to provide for the collection, safekeeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue," approved July fourth, eighteen hundred and forty, shall be for the use of the assistant treasurers hereinafter directed to be appointed at the places above named; as shall be also the fire-proof vaults and safes, erected within the said offices and rooms, for the keeping of the public money collected and deposited at those points, respectively; the said assistant treasurers, from time to time appointed at those places, shall have the custody and care of the said offices, vaults, and safes, erected, prepared, and provided as aforesaid, and of all the public moneys deposited within the same, and shall perform all the duties required to be performed by them, in reference to the receipt, safe-keeping, transfer, and disbursement of all such moneys, according to the provisions hereinafter contained. § 5. And be it further enacted, That the President shall nominate, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint four officers, to be denominated assistant treasurers of the United States, which said officers shall hold their respective offices for the term of four years, unless sooner removed therefrom; one of which shall be located at the city of New York, in the State of New York; one other of which shall be located at the city of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts; one other of which shall be located at the city of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina; and one other at St. Louis, in the state of Missouri. And all of which said officers shall give bonds to the United States, with sureties, according to the provisions hereinafter contained, for the faithful discharge of the duties of their respective offices. § 6. And be it further enacted, That the treasurer of the United States, the treasurer of the mint of the United States, the treasurers, and those acting as such, of the various branch mints, all collectors of the customs, all surveyors of the customs acting also as collectors, all assistant treasurers, all receivers of public moneys at the several land offices, all post-masters, and all public officers of whatsoever character, be, and they are hereby required to keep safely, without loaning, using, depositing in banks, or exchang ing for other funds than as allowed by this act, all the public money collected by them, or otherwise, at any time, placed in their possession and custody, till the same is ordered, by the proper department or officer of the government, to be transferred or paid out: and when such orders for transfer or payment are received, faithfully and promptly to make the same as directed, and to do and perform all other duties as fiscal agents of the gov ernment which may be imposed by this or any other acts of Congress, or by any regulation of the Treasury Department made in conformity to law; and, also, to do and perform all acts and duties required by law, or by direction of any of the executive departments of the government, as agents for paying pensions, or for making any other disbursements which either of the heads of those departments may be required by law to 1 make, and which are of a character to be made by the depositaries hereby constituted, consistently with the other official duties imposed upon them. §7. And be it further enacted, That the treasurer of the United States, the treasurer of the mint of the United States, the treasurer of the branch mint at New Orleans, and all the assistant treasurers hereinbefore directed to be appointed, shall respectively give bonds to the United States faithfully to discharge the duties of their respective offices according to law, and for such amounts as shall be directed by the Secretary of the Treasury, with sureties to the satisfaction of the Solicitor of the Treasury; and shall, from time to time, renew, strengthen, and increase their official bonds, as the Secretary of the Treasury may direct, any law in reference to any of the official bonds of any of the said officers to the contrary notwithstanding. §8. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury, at as early a day as possible after the passage of this act, to require from the several depositaries hereby constituted, and whose official bonds are not hereinbefore provided for, to execute bonds, new and suitable in their terms, to meet the new and increased duties imposed upon them, respectively, by this act, and with sureties and in sums such as shall seem reasonable and safe to the Solicitor of the Treasury; and, from time to time, to require such bonds to be renewed and increased in amount, and strengthened by new sureties, to meet any increasing responsibility which may grow out of accumulations of money in the hands of the depositary, or out of any other duty or responsibility arising under this or any other law of Congress. § 9. And be it further enacted, That all collectors and receivers of public money, of every character and description, within the District of Columbia, shall, as frequently as they may be directed by the Secretary of the Treasury, or the Postmaster General, so to do, pay over to the Treasurer of the United States, at the treasury, all public moneys collected by them, or in their hands; that all such collectors and receivers of public moneys within the cities of Philadelphia and New Orleans shall, upon the same direction, pay over to the treasurers of the mints in their respective cities, at the said mints, all public moneys collected by them, or in their hands; and that all such collectors and receivers of public moneys within the cities of New York, Boston, Charleston, and St. Louis, shall, upon the same direction, pay over to the assistant treasurers in their respective cities, at their offices, respectively, all the public moneys collected by them, or in their hands, to be safely kept by the said respective depositories until otherwise disposed of according to law; and it shall be the duty of the said Secretary and Postmaster General respectively to direct such payments by the said collectors and receivers at all the said places, at least as often as once in each week, and as much more frequently, in all cases, as they in their discretion may think proper. § 10. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer the moneys in the hands of any depositary hereby constituted, to the treasury of the United States, to be there safely kept, to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States, according to the provisions of this act; and, also, to transfer moneys in the hands of any one depositary constituted by this act, to any other depositary constituted by the same, at his discretion, and as the safety of the public moneys, and the convenience of the public service shall seem to him to require; which authority to transfer the moneys belonging to the Post-Office Department is also hereby conferred upon the Postmaster General, so far as its exercise by him may be consistent with the provisions of existing laws; and every depositary constituted by this act shall keep his account of the money paid to or deposited with him, belonging to the Post-Office Department, separate and distinct from the account kept by him of other public moneys so paid or deposited. And for the purpose of payments on the public account, it shall be lawful for the Treasurer of the United States to draw upon any of the said depositaries, as he may think most conducive to the public interests, or to the convenience of the public creditors, or both. And each depositary so drawn upon shall make returns to the Treasury and Post-Office Departments of all moneys received and paid by him, at such times and in such form as shall be directed by the Secretary of the Treasury or the Postmaster General. § 11. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause examinations to be made of the books, accounts, and money on hand, of the several depositaries constituted by this act; and for that purpose to appoint special agents, as occasion may require, with such compensation, not exceeding six dollars per day and travelling expenses, as he may think reasonable, to be fixed and declared at the time of each appointment. The agents selected to make these examinations shall be instructed to examine as well the books, accounts, and returns of the officer, as the money on hand, and the manner of its being kept, to the end that uniformity and accuracy in the accounts, as well as safety to the public moneys, may be secured thereby. § 12. And be it further enacted, That in addition to the examinations provided for in the last preceding section, and as a further guard over the public moneys, it shall be the duty of each naval officer and surveyor, as a check upon the assistant treasurer, or the collector of the customs, of their respective districts; of each register of a land office, as a check upon the receiver of his land office; and of the director and superintendent of each mint and branch mint, when separate offices, as a check upon the treasurers, respectively, of the said mints, or the persons acting as such, at the close of each quarter of the year, and as much more frequently as they shall be directed by the Secretary of the Treasury to do so, to examine the books, accounts, returns, and money on hand, of the assistant treasurers, collectors, receivers of land offices, treasurers of the mint and each branch mint, |