lector, to be admitted to free entry, under the provisions of schedule I, tariff of 1846. A piano is a household effect; and if the conditions prescribed as requisite for the admission free, of household effects, are satisfied, the article may be admitted free of duty. Articles of silver plate presented to a daughter by her parents, as wedding gifts, and brought by her to the United States, were decided by the Treasury Department to be admissible to free entry, on the usual declaration, under oath, that the articles in question had been in use abroad for one year by the family of which she was a member, whether before or after her marriage. Silver plate, manufactured for and imported by a person residing in the United States, though not for sale, but for his own private use, is not thereby exempted from duty. Seeds.--On a full examination of the provision of schedule I, of the tariff act of 1846, exempting certain seeds from duty, the Department has decided that the following named seeds, and all other seeds not otherwise specially provided for in that act, are entitled to entry free of duty, to wit: Canary, cardamom, carraway, clover, coriander, cotton, cummin, fenugreek, grass, mustard, and paradise seeds; also, beans and peas, when imported as seeds for reproduction. Specimens of natural history entitled to free entry under the provisions of schedule I, to be confined, as it regards animals, to dried, stuffed, or otherwise preserved dead subjects, and in no case to comprehend living animals imported for sale or exhibition. Statuary, shown to the satisfaction of the proper officers of the customs to have been imported in good faith, as articles of taste, and not "merchandise," to be entitled to free entry under the provisions of schedule I. Copies of statuary in the composition called "biscuit," is considered "statuary" within the meaning of the law. The term statuary, as used in the law, is understood to be confined in its application to "figures representing living or deceased creatures, of whatever species, real or imaginary, in full relievo, insulated on every part," and which may be formed of marble, plaster, bronze, galvan ized zinc, or other material appropriate to the composition of an "object of taste." Sculptures of figures, in mezzo relievo, cannot, therefore, consistently with the construction of the law given by the Department, be admitted to free entry. Medallions are not statues, nor are they exempted by any existing law from duty. Copies of the antique in galvanized zinc, if they come within the foregoing description of statuary, are admissible as such to free entry. Sugar-cane, imported for the purpose of reproduction, is entitled to free entry under the provisions of schedule I of the existing tariff act, as comprehended in the list of trees, shrubs, bulbs, plants, &c., not otherwise provided for. Articles cannot be imported duty free as "tools of trade" for persons residing in the United States, but such exemption from duty is confined to tools brought into the country by the persons to whom they belong, and to whose trade or occupation they properly appertain. Timber or other material dutiable by law, imported by a contractor for the construction of a fort or other public works, under the supervision of any one of the Departments, is entitled to entry free of duty, when so expressly stipulated in the contract. Utensils for the use of churches, and church vestments, are not exempted from duty, by any existing provision of law. Wreck.-Merchandise recovered from a vessel sunk within the waters of the United States, to be admitted to free entry, under certain regulations, by act of 3d March, 1843. The tackle, apparel, furniture, and ship stores of a foreign vessel wrecked on the coast of the United States, on being recovered and brought into the ports of the United States, to be admitted to free entry, not being considered as goods, wares, or merchandise subject to duty within the meaning of the law. Goods, wares, or merchandise, recovered from a wreck out of the limits of the United States, on being brought into a port of the United States, to be admitted to entry on appraisement, under the 21st section of the act of the 1st March, 1823. Wreck of an American vessel.- No parts of an American vessel, nor any of her equipments, wrecked, either in our own or foreign waters, are to be regarded, in legal contemplation, as "goods, wares, or merchandise," when returned to the person or persons owning the vessel at the time of the wreck, and on proper proof of identification. If, however, they have been subjects of purchase and sale, they become" merchandise," within the meaning of the law, and, as such, become liable to duty on importation, according to their classification under the tariff, and value determined by appraisement. The parts or equipments of a foreign vessel wrecked in waters not of the United States, and brought into our ports, must be regarded, on importation into the United States, as merchandise, and liable to duty. In the case of an American vessel bound on a coasting voyage from Buffalo to Detroit, and forced by stress of weather on the Canadian shore, where she was wrecked, it was decided by the Department that the merchandise recovered from the wreck was entitled to free entry, on being returned to the United States, on satisfactory proof that the articles of foreign origin composing her cargo had once paid duty in the United States, and that she was bound in good faith on a coasting voyage, with no intention of touching at a foreign port of destination. CHAPTER XII. QUARANTINE, PILOTAGE, AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE Customs officers to aid in executing health laws. 1799. SECTION I. QUARANTINE OR HEALTH LAWS. ART. 941. Collectors and other officers of the customs, quarantine and masters and crews of revenue-cutters, and military officers Sec. 1 Act Feb. 25, stationed on the coast within any State, are required to observe and aid in executing the quarantine and health laws of such States, respecting any vessel bound to or arriving at any port or district thereof from a foreign port or from another district of the United States, as they may be directed from time to time by the Secretary of the Health laws and Treasury. As the health laws of the several States must, regulations of municated to De State to be com- of course, differ in their requirements, it is obviously impartment. practicable for the Department to give any other than Unlading and stor ing cargo at other general regulations, unless duly advised by the proper State authorities of the regulations in force within their respective precincts, requiring the co-operation of the customs officers to give them due effect. On being so advised, the Department will promptly give such specific instructions as it may legally issue to insure the requisite cooperation of its officers with the local authorities charged with the execution of the health and quarantine laws, such as to prolong the time limited for the report and entry of vessels and cargoes, or to vary or dispense with other regulations applicable to such reports and entries, and the like. 942. When, by the health laws of a State, a vessel than port of desti- arriving within a collection district thereof is not perSec. 2 Act Feb. 25, mitted to come to her port of entry or delivery, and her nation. 1799. cargo is required or allowed to be landed at a port or place within or near such district, after the whole cargo shall be reported to the collector, he will grant a special warrant for the unlading thereof at the prescribed or permitted place, under the supervision and care of an officer of inspection; and the cargo so unladen shall be deposited, at the risk of the parties concerned, in such public or other warehouse or enclosure as may be designated by the collector, there to remain in the joint custody of the collector and the owner or the master of the vessel until such cargo can be safely removed without contravening the health laws of the State, when permits will be granted to the owners, consignees, or agents to receive all such goods. as may have been entered, and on which the duties have been paid or secured according to law, upon payment by them of storage at the usual rates. toms officers to place. Whenever it shall be inconvenient or dangerous, by Removal of custhe prevalence of any contagious or epidemical disease, for another port or the officers of the customs to continue to discharge their 4 Act Feb. 25, duties at their proper ports, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to remove them to any other more convenient place within or near their district, at which they may exercise their respective authorities, and shall be liable to the same duties, according to existing circumstances, as if at their proper port. On the occurrence of any such contingency, prompt application must be made to the Department, when the proper instructions and due public notice will be given without unnecessary delay. SECTION II. PROTECTION OF AMERICAN SEAMEN. 1796. ART. 943. Collectors of the customs are required to Sec. 4 Act May 28, keep a book in which to enter, at his request, the name of any seaman, being a citizen of the United States, who shall produce proof of his citizenship duly authenticated, and grant him a certificate in the following form, preserving on file the proof of citizenship so produced. |