Affairs of the East India Company: Appendix B No. 43

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No. 43. — Letter from John Backhouse Esq. to the Secretary to the Board Of Controul, dated 17th February 1829.

Sir,

With reference to the Letter from the Secretary to the Board of Controul of the 1st of November last, requesting that The Earl of Aberdeen would call upon His Majesty's Consuls in Europe to furnish Information as to the Price and Consumption of Tea, and the Duties on that Article, within their respective Districts, I am directed by Lord Aberdeen to transmit to you, for the Information of the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, Copies of Reports upon this Subject, which have been received from His Majesty's Consuls General and Consuls at the Places noted at the Foot of this Letter.

I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,

(Signed) J. Backhouse.

The Secretary to the Board of Controul.

List of Enclosures.

Copies of Letters from His Majesty's Consuls General at —

St. Petersburgh — with One Enclosure.

Hamburgh — Four Enclosures.

Paris — One Enclosure.

Naples — One Enclosure.

Palermo, and

Venice — One Enclosure.

Copies of Letters from His Majesty's Consuls at —

Dantzig.

Francfort.

Elsinore.

Antwerp — with Two Enclosures.

Antwerp — further Report with Two Enclosures.

Rotterdam.

Genoa.

Leghorn.

Ancona — with One Enclosure; and

Trieste.

No. 1. — Letter from Sir Daniel Bayley, Consul General at St. Petersburgh, to John Backhouse Esq. dated 6–18th December 1828.

Sir,

I have the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your Circular Dispatch, dated 18th November, communicating to me the Directions of The Earl of Aberdeen to use my best Endeavours to collect and transmit to you the most correct Information as to the Consumption of Tea in Russia, together with Statements of the Prices of different Qualities, and the Rates of Duties levied upon them, in English Money, at the existing Rate of Exchange.

In compliance with his Lordship's Orders, I have taken every Means to obtain the Information required, and now proceed to communicate the Results.

Nearly the whole of the Tea destined for the Consumption of this Empire is brought from Kiachta, where it is obtained from the Chinese by Barter; of course it is not possible to ascertain the Cost at its first Purchase. From thence it is mainly conveyed by Caravans, with other valuable Articles, to the great Annual Fair held at Neg~enei Novogorod, and even there it is chiefly disposed of by Barter. From thence it is distributed to the various Parts of this vast Empire; and then only it becomes an Article of Monied Trade, and that Prices can be fixed.

The Exportation of Tea from Russia is of small Extent, and is only permitted to Merchants in the Possession of special Licences granted by the Minister of Finance, in pursuance of an Oukaze, dated 16th August 1826, up to the 31st December of the same Year, which Licences are to continue in force for Four Years from the last-mentioned Date, when other Arrangements will be made.

Even these Licences confine Exportation to Berlin, Francfort on the Maine, Hamburgh, Vienna, Paris, Amsterdam, Leipsig, Constantinople, Trieste, Naples, Leghorn, Genoa, Marseilles, Cadiz and Lisbon, and to other Places out of Russia, but not nearer than the fore-mentioned, and provided Russian Consuls are established there.

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By these Regulations it is required that the Boxes of Tea destined for Exportation should be sealed at St. Petersburgh, Moscow or Odessa, accompanied by a Permit; and on Presentation of a Certificate, signed by the Consul resident at the Place to which the Tea is destined, of its true Delivery, the full Duty is restored to the Exporter, by the proper Authorities of the Place from whence the Tea was dispatched, with Exception of Green Tea of the finer Description, for the Exportation of which the Duty upon common Green Tea only is returned; but for coarse Brick Tea no Drawback whatever is allowed.

The following are the Rates of Duty upon Tea:—

From the most authentic Sources of Information I have had access to, it appears that the Importation of Tea into the Empire has been as follows:—

On an Average, P^ds 144,097 6lbs. of the Value of R^o ; 5,671,726½, or 5,187,496 lbs. English, Value £248,346 7s. 4d. Sterling, taking the Exchange at 10½d. per Ruble, which may therefore be fairly considered as the Annual Average of the Quantity of Tea consumed within the Empire; I have Reason to believe, however, that the Value above stated is estimated exclusive of the Duty.

I have not been able to obtain any Information of the Extent of the Importation of Tea during the present Year; but, from the Reduction in the Retail Prices of common Descriptions of Tea usually consumed in Families, I am led to believe that the Importation has exceeded the usual Average.

On the other hand, however, I subjoin an Extract of an Article which appeared very lately in the Russian Newspapers upon this Subject, showing the Result of the Trade in Tea brought for Disposal to the Annual Fair at Neg~nei Novogorod, held last Summer.

The Assortment of Tea consisted of —

The Value of these may be estimated on an Average, inclusive of the Duties —

Making, at the Exchange of 10½d. per R^o, £662,025 Sterling.

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The following are the Rates at which the Tea was disposed of by the Kiachta Merchants, with a Discount of Eight per Cent. as customary at the Fair: —

The Black Tea was almost entirely purchased by Armenians and Tartars from Astrachan, and a small Portion by Russian Merchants carrying on Trade with Asia.

In all, 29,000 Seroons were sold at the Fair, to the Amount of about Eleven Millions of Rubles, and the whole of what remained over was dispatched for Disposal to Moscow and to this Place.

Enclosed I have added a Price Current received from One of the principal Retail Dealers in Tea in this City, which I have reduced into Sterling Money per English lb. ; and from all the Information I have been enabled to collect, the Prices are nearly the same at all the principal Cities in the Empire.

It may not be useless to add, that though the Importation of Tea by Sea is prohibited at all the Russian Ports in Europe, excepting Odessa, yet that it is admitted at all the Russian Ports in Asia at the same Duties as by Custom Houses on the Frontier.

I have thus endeavoured to execute Lord Aberdeen's Commands, and I have used my best Exertions to do so fully and correctly. It will give me great Pleasure to be informed that I have performed the Service in a Manner satisfactory to his Lordship.

I have the Honour, &c. &c. &c.

(Signed) Daniel Bayley.

(Enclosure. )

Les personnes qui desirent avoir les qualités de Thés susmentionnés, peuvent les recevoir dans les caisses véritables de la Chine, pesent 2, 3, 5 et 10 livres ; ou peut en outre les recevoir en caisses préparées pour le transport, ainsi que dans des zibiks entiers de toutes qualités, au plus juste prix.

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No. 3. —Letter from Henry Canning Esq. Consul General at Hamburgh, to John Bidwell Esq. dated 16th January 1829.

Sir,

In reference to your Letter of the 13th of November, conveying to me The Earl of Aberdeen's Desire to use my best Endeavours to collect and transmit to you the most correct Information as to the Price and Consumption of Tea in the Hanse Towns, together with the Statements of the Prices of the different Qualities, and the Rates of Duty levied on them on Importation, and of Drawback allowed on Exportation; I beg leave to send you the enclosed Table, which contains the required Information as regards the Prices of Tea, and the Duties and Drawbacks.

As regards the Consumption, there is a Difficulty in stating it with Accuracy; the Public Records at the Custom House here do not afford it, and private Information may not always be correct.

I enclose the Copy of a Letter which I have received upon this Subject from —, who, you will find, states the Importation of Tea into Hamburgh at between 10,000 and 20,000 Quarter Boxes annually; but I collect from the Lists of general Importations which are published here annually by private Persons, that the Quantity of Tea imported in the last Five Years has been as follows; namely,

Making an average Importation in Five Years of 23,590 Chests, or, at 70 lbs. net per Chest, of 1,650,300 Pounds per Annum.

Neither of these Quantities can, however, be fixed upon as quite correct. The Quantity actually consumed in Hamburgh is only a small Part of the whole Importation, as the greater Part goes to the Interior of Germany.

At Bremen and Lubeck, the same Difficulty in stating the Importation of Tea with Accuracy prevails as here, but in neither is the Quantity important; and I beg leave to refer to the enclosed Copies of what the British Vice Consuls in those Towns have reported on the Subject.

I have, &c. &c.

(Signed) Henry Canning.

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(Enclosure, No. 1. )

Hamburgh, 16th January 1829. HENRY CANNING, Consul General.

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(Enclosure, No. 2. )

No. 5. —Letter from — — to Mr. Henry Canning, dated Hamburgh, 13th January 1829.

"I must ask your Pardon for the Procrastination of an Answer to your Letter of the 16th December, concerning the Tea Trade of Hamburgh. I am very sorry the Registers of the Customs, which have no other Object but to secure the small Duty of 1/5 per Cent. on Part of the Importation, and of 1 per Mille on Part of the Exportation, without providing for a Drawback, will scarcely offer sufficient Information for giving an official Answer to most of your Questions.

"The Importation of Tea in the Port of Hamburgh, variable and accidental, may be rated at between 10,000 and 20,000 Quarter Boxes annually. The extraordinary Importation of 35,700 Quarter Boxes in 1827 must purely be attributed to their smaller Size. The Market of Hamburgh, as well as that of Holland, appears overstocked: Prices since 1816 are reduced to One Third. At the End of December 1827, 28 to 30,000 Quarter Boxes remained unsold. The Exportation, owing to the Impossibility of controlling Quantities below a certain Weight and Value, can still less be stated with any degree of Certainty.

"The safest Method would be, to deduct the probable Average Consumption of 200,000 to 250,000 Boxes from the Importation, which by an Alteration of Duties in Holland has been reduced to 12,500 Quarter Boxes in 1828. The late Failures in the United States, the Balance of Two or Three Millions of Dollars due to the American Customs, the Loss of the Dutch Trading Company, computed at 2,000,000 of Florins during the last Four Years, sufficiently prove the Trade has of late been carried on without Benefit. The Consumption in the Interior of Germany, though slowly increasing, is very moderate. Smuggling to any Extent must be out of the Question; Fine Black Tea, the Staple Consumption of Great Britain, scarcely appearing in the Hamburgh Market.

"Insignificant as these Details, for which I was obliged to address myself to the Persons better acquainted with Commercial Business, must appear to you, I hope you will consider them as a Proof of my sincere Wish to substitute private Information for official Ignorance. "

(Enclosure, No. 3. )

No. 6. —Extract of a Letter from the British Vice-Consul at Bremen, addressed to Mr. Henry Canning, dated Bremen, 20th December 1828.

— "In reply to your Letter of the 13th Instant, I have the Honour to state, that the Consumption of Tea in this City cannot be exactly ascertained; it is however not considerable. Its Importation is chiefly from the United States, and never in whole Cargoes, but occupying a small Portion of Ship room. Its Exportation from hence is chiefly East Friesland, and to the Countries on the Upper Weser.

"In 1826 were imported 84,122lbs., amounting to R^s 46,735.

"In 1827, 346,888lbs., amounting to R^s 231,259: and the Quantity on Hand at this Moment may be estimated at circa 4,000 Chests, averaging 240,000lbs. "

(Enclosure, No. 4. )

No. 7. —Extract of a Letter from the British Vice-Consul at Lubeck, dated 22d December 1828, addressed to Mr. Henry Canning.

— "I was duly favoured with your Letter of the 15th Instant, and lost no Time in attending to its Contents.

"There is no Wholesale Trade in Tea here, and but a very irregular one in the Retail Line. The Retail Dealers in this Article draw their Supplies mostly from Hamburgh, but sometimes from Copenhagen and Bremen; it is however impossible to ascertain the Quantity consumed here, since almost all the Principal Families have their Tea sent them by the Post-coach from Hamburgh, in Quantities of 5lbs. 10lbs. or 25lbs., of which no Account whatever is required here; and even what the Dealers receive is but very partially entered at the Custom House, the Parcels being given in at whatever Quantities the Receivers choose to state.

"There is no inquisitorial Establishment here for examining the Goods received; and the Custom House has so little Control over them, that the Head of that Department has himself declared, that it is impossible to ascertain either the Quantity imported or that consumed. "

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No. 8. —Letter from D. R. Morier Esq. Consul General at Paris, to The Earl of Aberdeen, dated 28th November 1828.

My Lord,

In obedience to your Lordship's Directions, contained in Mr. Backhouse's Letter dated November 13th, marked "Circular," instructing me to transmit to your Lordship's Department the most correct Information as to the Consumption of Tea in France, &c. I have the Honour to forward herewith the enclosed Statement, which, with respect to the Quantity imported, is founded upon a Memorandum furnished me from the Administration of the Customs, with an Assurance that it may be depended on as Official, and accompanied by the Remark, that they have no other Means of judging of the actual Consumption of Tea in France but by the Amount of Imports.

I have the Honour to be, &c.

(Signed) D. R. Morier,

The Earl of Aberdeen, Consul General.

&c. &c. &c.

(Enclosure. )

No. 9. — Statement showing the Amount of Tea imported into France from the Year 1820 to 1827, both Years inclusive; the Rates of Import Duty payable thereon, and the current Wholesale Prices of the different Qualities thereof, reduced into English Money at the current Rate of Exchange, viz. Francs 25,22½ per £ Sterling.

The Duties on Importation, without respect to Quality, are

The Current Prices, according to the "Prix Courant Général et Légal des Marchandises sur la Place de Paris," published weekly, are and have been, for

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No. 10. — Letter from Sir Henry Lushington, Consul General at Naples, to John Bidwell Esq. dated 13th December 1828.

Sir,

In reply to Mr. Backhouse's Letter of the 13th Ultimo, I have the Honour to enclose a Statement of the Quantity of Tea imported into the Kingdom of Naples during the last Two Years, specifying the Quantity of each Year, the Price, and the existing Duty.

I have the Honour to be, &c.

(Signed) Henry Lushington,

John Bidwell, Esq. Consul General.

&c. &c. &c.

(Enclosure. )

No. 11. —Statement of the Quantity of Tea imported to Naples in the Years 1826 and 1827.

No Drawback whatever is allowed in the Kingdom of Naples.

British Consulate,

Naples, 13th December 1828.

No. 12—Letter from Frederick Lindeman Esq. Consul General at Palermo, to John Backhouse Esq. dated 17th December 1828.

Sir,

In reply to the Official Circular of the 13th Ult. I have the Honour to state, that the Consumption of Tea in the Island of Sicily is very trifling, about Twenty Chests per Annum. The Sicilians seldom make use of it, except in Illness as a Medicine, and that of very inferior Quality. It is chiefly imported from the United States of America. The Duty, without regard to Quality, is One Shilling and Three-pence Sterling per Pound, English Weight, at the current Rate of Exchange of 58 Taris per Pound Sterling: the Retail Price for Bohea Four Shillings per Pound, and for Green, 6s. per Pound, English Weight. There is no Drawback allowed on Re-exportation of Tea.

I have the Honour to be, &c.

John Backhouse, Esq. (Signed) Fred. Lindeman.

&c. &c. &c.

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No. 13. —Letter from W. Taylor Money Esq. Consul General at Venice, to John Backhouse Esq. dated 3d January 1829.

Sir,

On Receipt of your Letter of the 13th of November last, by which you communicated to me the Desire of The Earl of Aberdeen that I should collect and transmit to you the most correct Information as to the Consumption of Tea in the Austrian States in the Adriatic, I immediately requested His Majesty's Consuls at Trieste, Fiume and Ragusa to furnish me with such Particulars as might relate to their several Districts.

I have delayed my reply in consequence of not hearing from Mr. Turner at Ragusa; but as I am credibly informed that the Consumption of Tea there is very insignificant, I now transmit a Return, which I hope will be found sufficient.

The Article in question is so little in use in the Southern Parts of the Austrian States, that it does not appear that the Total Consumption amounts to Half a Ton annually.

Tea may enter the Free Ports of Trieste, Fiume and Ragusa without Payment of Duty; but on leaving those Places for the Interior, the Duty levied is at the Rate of 1/5¾ Sterling per lb. Avoirdupois for the Gross Weight on all Qualities indiscriminately, which corresponds with the Importation Duty at Venice.

No Drawback is allowed on Re-exportation; but, on the contrary, Tea is liable to a small Export Duty of about One Farthing per Pound Avoirdupois.

Except at Treiste, no other Tea is known than a very inferior Hyson. The Prices are inserted in the Return herewith transmitted.

I am, &c.

(Signed) Will. Taylor Money,

John Backhouse, Esq. Consul General.

&c. &c. &c.

(Enclosure. )

Remarks. —Only One Quality (an inferior Hyson) is known in the Venetian Shops.

On leaving the Gates of Trieste for the Interior, Tea pays the same Duty as at Venice.

On leaving Fiume for the Interior, Tea pays the Import Duty as at Venice.

Ditto on leaving Ragusa.

(Signed) Wm. T. MONEY, Consul General.

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No. 15. —Letter from Alexander Gibson Esq. Consul at Dantzig, to John Backhouse Esq. dated 23d January 1829.

Sir,

I duly was honoured with your Circular of 13th November last, and an very sorry to say it is not in my Power to convey the Information required, respecting the Consumption in Tea in Prussia. Here it cannot be procured; but I have been endeavouring to procure it from Berlin, though without Success; yet I hope still to get it, as I am about visiting that City, when it shall be immediately forwarded.

Teas can only be entered in Prussia for Consumption or for Transit. The Duty is, for

The present Prices in Retail are—

There is, in fact, no Wholesale Trade in Teas here.

I have &c.

(Signed) Alex. Gibson.

No. 16. — Letter from Christian Koch Esq. Consul at Frankfort, to John Backhouse Esq. dated 28th December 1828.

Sir,

With reference to my Communication under Date of the 29th November, I have herewith the Honour to state the Information I have been able to collect respecting the Prices, Duties, Consumption and Qualities of Tea in this Part of Germany.

The List below comprises the Confederate States, which levy a Consumption Duty on that Article, on which none of them allows Drawback. The printed Tariffs of them are too bulky to admit being sent by Post, and shall be transmitted by the first Messenger passing through Frankfort.

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In other Parts of the Confederation, with the Exception of Austria, the Duties levied on Tea deserve more the Denomination of Toll or Turnpikes than Duty, such as in this free City, where the Cwt. pays Ten-pence on Entry. The present Prices of Tea in this Town are as follows:—

And calculated at the Exchange on London at 150½ Batz. Exch. Money per £1 Sterling.

The Qualities most in use are Teas at 2/6 to 3/4 per lb. Consumption Duty per cwt. or 100 lb. paid on Entry, and on which no Drawback is allowed on Exportation.

The Quantity of Tea consumed in this City cannot be exactly ascertained, as it forms an Article of Trade on which no Consumption Duty is levied, 10d. not deserving that Denomination, and consequently no Drawback allowed on it that might lead to regular Registers. The Modicity of the Duty on Entry on all Articles in general is the Cause that the Entry Books are not so explicit as to admit of a Separation of the Quantity of Tea consumed and Exports into the Interior of the Country; but I have ascertained that the Importation amounted in the Year 1817 to 380 cwt. and in 1826 to 112 cwt. on which the Duty of 10d. per lb. was paid. I have Reason to believe that not more than 100 cwt. of it were consumed in the Town and Territory of Frankfort, forming a Population of 70,000 Inhabitants, and thus about One Eighth of a Pound for each per Annum; but this Valuation cannot serve as a general Basis for Germany, as in some Parts of it no Tea is drunk, and in others very little, the People being in the habit of drinking Coffee for Breakfast, and Beer or Wine at their other Meals.

Notwithstanding the great Activity and the extended Mercantile Connections of this free City, the Tea Branch cannot be of great Consequence, as Hamburgh and Bremen supply the North of Germany and Part of the Baltic Coast, and Holland the Country along the Rhine, as well as other German Provinces near her Frontiers; whilst the South, Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Baden, Darmstadt and Nassau chiefly consume Coffee, as more congenial to Beer and Wine Countries; and thus the Débouché into them becomes Retail Business to no considerable Extent. Prussia receives Supplies from Hamburgh and her Baltic Ports, and Austria chiefly by Trieste; but both Countries import also Tea from Russia, which goes by the Name of Caravan Tea, and of which the first Qualities find likewise their Way into this Part of Germany, although in small Quantities, and sell at high Prices, as stated in the List.

Very seldom Purchases for this Town have hitherto been made at the East India Sales in London. On the Outset, this may have been caused by the Length of the Journey, Aversion against Sea Voyages, Want of Knowledge of the Language, and the considerable Travelling Expences. Most of these Impediments having been lessened by Steam Navigation and improved Land Conveyance, I think it likely that the Tea Sales at the India House may in future be as well attended as the Indigo Sales, to which Frankfort Houses regularly send their Agents.

In former Times, Tea for this Place was purchased of The East India Company at Copenhagen, and the Swedish Company at Gottenburg, but chiefly then and now in Holland.

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The Two former Companies have ceased to exist, and Holland meets latterly with great Competition in the French Port of Havre de Grace, visited so much by American Vessels, that the Orders upon Tea may be considered now as divided between Dutch and French Ports.

The French Government has, sub-hand, been so extremely active in facilitating Inland Water Communication, that, by means of the Canal de Monsieur and the Canal de Besancon, the North Sea will shortly be united with the Rhine at Strasbourg, and thus Havre, with its known Activity, will easily meet Dutch Competition in Tea and all Colonial Produce. In the Prospectus and Plan of the Undertaking, the Union of the North Sea with the Mediterranean has been promised through this Canal, which, by Contract, is to be finished at latest in 1830.

The great Difference in the Importation of Tea into Frankfort, in 1817 380 cwt., in 1826 112 cwt., I attribute chiefly to Supplies from France, although the very low Prices of Grain may likewise have caused a Diminution in the Consumption of Tea in Germany, which there belongs more to the Luxuries than to the Necessaries of Life, whilst Coffee ranks more amongst the latter. Under the aforesaid Circumstances, it is my Opinion that the most correct Calculation of the Quantity of Tea consumed in Germany can only be made by collecting Information of the Imports in the following Sea Ports; viz. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburgh, Bremen, Havre, Bordeaux, Trieste and Copenhagen. Neither Prussia nor Italian Ports supply inner Germany with Tea at present.

I am, &c.

Christian Koch.

No. 17. — Mr. Consul Fenwick's Report on the Consumption and Price of Tea in Denmark; dated Elsinore, 13th December 1828.

The China Trade has, ever since the Year 1732, been a Monopoly to the present Asiatic Company, and, with the Exception of Two private Expeditions made by Royal Authority in 1816 and 1817, against a Recognizance to the Company, and with their Sanction, in consequence of the dilapidated State of their Finances, no Importation of Tea has been made to Denmark from any Place beyond the Cape of Good Hope, as being in opposition with the Privileges of the Company.

The Duty paid by the Company is Two per Cent. ad valorem, whereas the Duty on Importations from Ports on this Side the Cape of Good Hope is about 14d. on Green Teas, and 10½d. on Crown Teas, which amounts to a Prohibition; and it can thus be admitted that the Consumption of the Country is wholly supplied by the Company.

On the other Hand, the Activity of the Company has, ever since the Peace in 1814, been exclusively limited to the Wants of the Country, both in consequence of their want of Capital and of the Prices at which they are enabled to dispose of their Teas for Consumption; and the Extent of their Sales accordingly affords a safe and correct Criterion respecting the Consumption of the Country.

The Prices of the last Sales were about as follows:
Bohea, 20d.                    Souchong, 30d. to 32d.
Congo, 28d. to 30d.       Patri Zioun Ziorang, 34d.
Campoy, 29d. to 32d.   Hyson, 48d. to 49d.

And fine Teas, in Lead Canisters, proportionally higher.

Teas from any Port this Side of the Cape of Good Hope may be landed, in Bond, at Copenhagen, and when re-exported pay a Transit Duty of about 18d. per 100 lbs. for Crown Teas, and 54d. for Green Teas; but this Trade is not carried to any Extent, as they cannot be entered for Consumption, unless at a high Duty, as stated above.

No Drawback is allowed on the Re-exportation of Tea from Denmark.

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No. 18. — Letter from De Hochepied Larpent Esq. Consul at Antwerp, to John Backhouse, Esq. dated 28th November 1828.

Sir,

In reply to your Circular of the 13th Instant, I have the Honour to transmit, for the Information of The Earl of Aberdeen, a Statement of the Law and Tariff respecting the Importation of Tea into the Netherlands, as it existed formerly. By this it appears that all Exportation or Transit of Tea was prohibited.

The Teas which were imported into this Kingdom were consequently for Consumption alone; and, according to the best Information I can obtain, it appears that the Quantity of Tea consumed yearly in the Southern Provinces is not more than 2,000 Chests of 75 lbs. each: whilst in the Northern Provinces the Consumption yearly may be rated as high as from 25,000 to 27,000. Thus the whole Consumption of Tea of all Kinds in this Kingdom cannot be estimated at more than 30,000 Chests of 75 lbs. each, or about 2,000,000 lbs. per Annum.

This is the most accurate Information I have been able to procure upon this Subject.

I have likewise the Honour to enclose No. 2, being a Statement of the present Law and Tariff upon the Importation and Exportation of Teas, shewing likewise the Prices of the various Sorts in Sterling and English cwt. likewise the precise Quantity said to be consumed in the Southern Provinces, from the best Source, which appears rather less than 2,000 Chests.

But as there is now a general Entrepôt established in this City, as well as in other Ports, it is supposed that a much larger Quantity of Tea will be imported in future direct from China, in Netherland Vessels, the greater Part for Exportation.

But this Law has not been long enough in Operation to enable me to form any Opinion as to the probable Quantity of Tea that will be imported in future.

I have likewise to observe, that since the 1st of January last I do not find a single Chest of Tea set down as imported into Antwerp.

I am, &c.

John Backhouse, Esq. (Signed) De Hochepied Larpent.

&c. &c. &c.

(Enclosure, No. 1. )

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(Enclosure, No. 2. )

Antwerp, 28th November 1828. (Signed) DE HOCHEPIED LARPENT, Consul.

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No. 21. —Letter from James de Hochepied Larpent Esq. Consul at Antwerp, to John Bidwell Esq. dated 2d December 1828.

Sir,

In addition to the Information contained in my Letter of the 27th Ult. No. 17, respecting the Duties upon Tea, I have the Honour to acquaint you, that, in pursuance of the Law of 31st March 1828, a Copy of which is herewith transmitted, relating to the "free Exportation and Importation of Merchandize from and into the Kingdom of the Netherlands;"

His Majesty, by a Special Decree, dated 10th September 1828, has been pleased, as an Act of Grace and Favour, to allow the Extension of that Law to the Port of Antwerp; although the Terms of the said Law have not yet been complied with by the Erection of a suitable Building for a general Entrepôt.

It is therefore established, under the Authority of this Special Decree, that all Sorts of Tea may be imported into Antwerp from any Country whatsoever by Sea, and re-exported by Sea to any other Country, without paying any Duties whatsoever, not even those of Transit.

The necessary Measures are however in operation for the Erection of an Entrepôt.

I have &c.

(Signed) De Hochepied Larpent.

John Bidwell, Esq.

(Enclosure, No. 1. )

No. 22.

Nous, Guillaume, par la Grâce de Dieu Roy des Pays Bas, Prince d'Orange Nassau, Grand Duc de Luxembourg, &c.

A tous ceux qui les presentes verront, salut. Savoir faisons;

Ayant pris en considération qu'il importe dans l'intérêt du commerce et de la navigation de ne negliger aucune mésure qui puisse servir À encourager les mouvemens d'importation et d'exportation dans les ports du Royaume;

Le Conseil d'Etat entendu, et de commun accord avec les Etats Généraux, avons arrêté et arrêtons les dispositions suivantes:

Article 1^er—Par extension de la Loi générale sur les Droits d'Entrée, de Sortie et de Transit, du 26 Août 1822, (Journal Officiel, No. 38,) Nous accorderons aux principales villes de commerce maritime dans lesquelles les batimens et etablissemens nécessaires À cet fin seront fournis et entretenus, soit par ces villes mêmes, soit par le commerce, la faculté de déposer dans un Entrepôt Général les marchandises, pouvant jouir de la faveur d'Entrepôt qui y sont importées par mer, et de les re-exporter ensuite egalement par mer, en franchise de droit, soit dans leurs emballages ou futailles primitifs, soit après avoir été assorties ou manipulées et transferées dans d'autres, elles devront toutefois être accompagnées des documens requis, et soumises aux precautions nécessaires pour prévenir tout abus.

2^d—Nous nous réservons néanmoins d'etablir les exceptions nécessaires À la dite franchise des droits, soit sous le rapport de la nature des marchandises, soit À cause de leur destination particulière, en cas de ré-exportation; bien entendu que ces exceptions seront toujours d'une application générale, et ne pourront jamais avoir d'effet retro-actif á l'égard des marchandises qui auroient été importées avant que les exceptions eussent été arrêtées et publiées.

3^e—Par extension de l'Article 5, paragraphe 11, de la Loi générale, mentionnée plus haut, l'exemption y stipulée recevra son application dans ce sens, s'il ne se presente pas d'occasion pour trans-border immediatement les marchandises, elles pourront, moyennant des frais modérés À supporter par les intéressés, être deposées dans le magasin de l'administration, ou dans un autre local sûr, soit au premier bureau, soit À proximité de ce poste, pour être ensuite ré-exportées dans le delai d'un an après la date de l'emmagasinage.

Mandons et ordonnons, que la presente Loi soit inserée au Journal Officiel, et que nos ministres et autres autorités, qu'elle concerne, tiennent strictement la main À son exécution.

Donné À la Haye le 31 Mars de l'an 1828, de notre regne le quinzième.

(Signé) Guillaume.

[69]

(Enclosure, No. 2. )

No. 23. —Décret du 10 Septembre 1828.

Nous, Guillaume, &c. &c.

Considérant, &c. &c.

Avons resolu, &c.

Article 1^er—Que la ville d'Anvers jouira de la franchise des droits sur les marchandises qui entrent et sont réexportées par les moyens d'un Entrepôt Général, de la même maniére qu'il a été decrété en faveur d'Amsterdam le 9 Mai dernier.

Article 2^d—Qu'en attendant l'establissement d'un nouvel Entrepôt á Anvers, cet Entrepôt sera institué provisoirement, et jusqu' á revocation, dans le ci-devant clôitre St. Michel, actuellement occupé par l'Entrepôt Royal, et cela moyennant un loyer annuel á conceder au propriétaire; le tout en se soumettant aux formalités spéciales que l'Administration des Droits d'Entrée et des Accises trouvera convenable d'exiger pour prévenir les abus, &c. &c.

Copie au présent sera envoyé, &c.

Donné À la Haye le 10 Septembre de l'an 1828, de notre regne le quinziéme.

(Signé) Guillaume.

No. 24. —Letter from Alexander Ferrier Esq. Consul at Rotterdam, to John Backhouse Esq. dated 18th November 1828.

Sir,

In compliance with the Directions of The Earl of Aberdeen, communicated to me in your Circular of the 13th Inst. I beg leave to transmit you the following Information relative to the Price and Consumption of Tea, and the Duties payable on that Article, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The annual Importation of Tea into the whole Kingdom of the Netherlands, taken on an Average of the last Ten Years, is 42,000 Quarter Chests, and the Consumption is estimated to be 40,000 per Annum, about Two and a Half Million Pounds.

The Prices are now as follows:

The Duty Inwards, and on Tea entered for Home Consumption, is as follows:

If imported direct from China, or the Netherland Possessions in the East Indies, without breaking Bulk on the Voyage,

But if imported in Netherland Vessels, then Bohea and coarse Congo pay only f. 7, about per English Pound ⁵/8 of a Penny.

If imported from other Parts, or in Vessels that have broken Bulk,

Bohea, or coarse Congo f. 51, about per English lb. 4⁵/8d.

No Drawback is allowed ; on the contrary, on Exportation an additional Duty of 1¾d. per English lb. is payable, without Distinction of Sorts. But Tea, on Entry Inwards, may be declared in Transit, and then pays exactly One Fourth of the several Rates of Consumption duty specified above.

I have the Honour to be, &c. &c.

J. Backhouse, Esq. (Signed) Alex. Ferrier. &c. &c. &c.

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No. 25. — Letter from James Stirling Esq. Consul at Genoa, to John Bidwell Esq. dated 30th November 1828.

Sir,

I have the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of the Circular Letter of the 13th Instant, received on the 24th; in answer to which I have to acquaint you, for The Earl of Aberdeen's Information, that the Annual Consumption of Tea in the Sardinian States (on the Continent) is about 2,500 Kilogrammes, equal to 5,625 Pounds English Weight. The Duty of Entry is 2 Francs 50 Cents per Kilogramme, which, at the Exchange of 25 Francs per Pound Sterling, is 2 Shillings per 2 Pounds 4 Ounces English Weight.

The Re-exportation of Tea by Sea is 2,000 Kilogrammes, equal to 4,500 Pounds English Weight, which pay 1 Franc 20 Cents per Decimal Quintal, or 1 Shilling per 225 Pounds English Weight.

The actual Price of Pearl Tea is from 3 Livres 10 Sous to 4 Livres, or from 2 Shillings and 4 Pence to 2 Shillings and 8 Pence Sterling per Genoa Pound.

The Price of Hyson Tea is from 2 Livres 16 Sous to 3 Livres 5 Sous, or from 1 Shilling and 10 Pence to 2 Shillings and 2 Pence per Genoa Pound.

The Price of Green Tea is from 1 Livre 10 Sous to 2 Livres, or from 1 Shilling to 1 Shilling and 4 Pence per Genoa Pound.

The Price of Black Tea is from 1 Livre 5 Sous to 1 Livre 10 Sous, or from 10 Pence to 1 Shilling per Genoa Pound.

The Deposit in Port France of the different Qualities of Tea does not exceed 150 Cases; containing each 90 Genoese Pounds, or 64½ Pounds English Weight.

No Drawback is allowed in this Port, all Goods being admitted in the Port France free of Duty; and when withdrawn from thence they pay the Duty of Entry, if such Goods are for the Consumption in the Sardinian States; the Transit Duty, if they are re-exported by Land; and the Duty of Ostellaggio, if they are re-exported by Sea.

I have the Honour to be, &c.

John Bidwell, Esq. (Signed) James Stirling, Consul. &c. &c. &c.

No. 26. — Letter from John Falconar Esq. Consul at Leghorn, to John Bidwell Esq. dated 3d December 1828.

Sir,

When using my best Endeavours to obey the Directions contained in the Circular of the 13th Ult. it is necessary for me to remark, that, from the Manner in which the Custom-house Books are kept here, it is impossible to ascertain the Quantity of Tea imported; but from the best Information I have been enabled to procure from other Sources the Imports for the last Seven Years, in large and small Chests, (for they have not been distinguished from each other,) have been nearly as follows; viz. in 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827— Chests 182, 407, 103, 555, 354, 548, 326; thereby averaging about 353 Chests annually, which have almost entirely been brought from America.

The Consumption of Tea in Tuscany is chiefly confined to the Foreigners who reside in Florence and Leghorn, the Natives only using it medicinally.

A great Part of it is exported to the Roman and Sicilian States, and to the Levant; but as the Custom House takes no Cognizance of this, the Quantity consumed in Tuscany cannot be ascertained, although it may be computed at from 3,000 to 4,000 lbs. annually.

The Duty on Importation of Tea into the Port and City of Leghorn is as follows; viz.

On Green Tea of the finest Quality, 3s. for every 100lb.

Of inferior Quality, 2s. for Do.

On Black Teas, 1s. 6d. for Do.

When sent into the Interior of the Country it pays a Duty, when passing the Gates of Leghorn, of Seven-pence Sterling per lb., but no Drawback is allowed on Exportation.

The Wholesale Prices at which Teas sell here may be quoted as follows; viz.

It is to be observed, that all the above Weights consist of Twelve Ounces to the Pound.

I have the Honour to be, &c.

John Bidwell, Esq. (Signed) John Falconar, Consul.

&c. &c. &c.

[71]

No. 27. — Letter from John Parke Esq. Consul at Ancona, to John Bidwell Esq. dated 23d December 1828.

Sir,

I have the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of Mr. Backhouse's Dispatch, dated November 13th last, instructing me to collect and transmit to the Foreign Department the most correct Information as to the Consumption of Tea in the Roman States; together with Statements of the Prices of the different Qualities, and the Rates of Duties levied upon them, reduced into English Money at the current Rate of Exchange; which Information I have now the Honour to enclose.

I have the Honour to be, &c.

John Bidwell, Esq. (Signed) John Parke.

&c. &c. &c.

(Enclosure. )

No. 29. — Letter from Geo. During Esq. Consul at Trieste, to John Backhouse Esq. dated 4th December 1828.

Sir,

In answer to the Circular Letter, dated Foreign Office, 13th Ult., I have the Honour to state, for the Information of The Right Honourable the Secretary of State, The Earl of Aberdeen, the following Particulars respecting the Importation, Price and Consumption of Tea in this District, and also the Duties to which it is subject.

The Government, of which this Place is the Seat, comprises the City, Port and Liberties of Trieste, the County of Gorizia, and the Peninsula of Istria, which being Maritime Provinces, the whole is styled "Governo del Litorale," and contains about 300 m. Inhabitants. The County of Gorizia (containing about 115m. Inhabitants) is alone subject to Duties of Customs; the other Districts are exempt from them, and enjoy the Advantages of a Free Port.

The Consumption of Tea in this Government is so insignificant as to warrant the Assertion that it is scarcely to be considered as an Object of Trade. It is used more as a Medicine than as a necessary Article of Subsistence, or an agreeable Beverage, except by the English Families here resident, and a few others in the higher Circles.

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Only Four Qualities of Tea are known here, as stated, with their respective Prices, in the Schedule here annexed. The Importation in British Vessels is limited to small Parcels brought by Masters of Ships, and I am credibly informed has not amounted to 1,000lbs. during the last Nine Years, the Period I have been in Office. A more considerable Quantity (about 3,000 lbs. ) was imported some Years ago in an American Ship, and left in Commission with an English House here; but the greater Part, notwithstanding the extreme Lowness of the Prices, still remains unsold, and I am assured that it is very doubtful whether wholesale Buyers could be found for it even at a Reduction of 30 per Cent.

In the City and Liberties of Trieste, which is a Free Port, and also in Istria, as being beyond the Line of Custom Houses, there are no Duties on this or any other Articles of Merchandize. There was, indeed, 'till lately, a Duty of One Half per Cent. ad valorem, which has now ceased, the Object for which it was levied, viz. to pay the Debts contracted by the Municipality during the War, being accomplished. The Tea sent into the Interior of the Austrian States, on passing the Boundaries of the Territory of Trieste, is subject to a Duty of 54 Kreutzers per lb. of Vienna, or One Shilling and Sixpence Sterling per lb. English Avoirdupois Weight. No Drawback is allowed; but Tea may be bonded in large Towns, or may be sent through the Country for Exportation to Foreign Parts, on paying a Transit Duty of 2¾ Florins per 100lbs of Vienna, or Five Shillings and Two-pence Sterling for 112lbs. English Avoirdupois Weight.

I understand that the Consumption of Tea in Vienna and the Northern Provinces of the Empire is much more considerable than in these Parts; but, as very little is sent from hence, the Supplies must be received from Hamburgh and other Ports in the North.

I have the Honour to be, &c.

John Backhouse, Esq. (Signed) Geo. During.

&c. &c. &c.

(Enclosure. )

(Signed) Geo. During, Consul.