de Cotegipe to João Maurício Vanderlei, October 30, 1875

Baron de Cotegipe to Baron de Cotegipe.

Most Illustrious and Excellent Senhor: As it appears that certain doubts have arisen between some of the foreign legations and the custom-house of this district concerning the true meaning of article 4, section 8, of the preliminary dispositions of the tariff, the one party holding and understanding that the exemption from duties there conceded to goods and objects imported for the use of ships of war of friendly nations, and of their equipments, which shall arrive in the transports of the respective states, in packets or in merchant-vessels, is extended to wines, cigars, and other objects destined for the use of the officers of said vessels, of whose equipment they form part, and desiring to fix the interpretation of the said section 8 so that the intentions of the regulations may retain their force, neither limiting the favors and privileges authorized to the men-of-war of friendly nations, nor giving them an extent not compatible with the interests of the revenue, I have resolved to declare under this date to the consular inspector of the said custom-house that the exemption from duties granted by the said article 4, section 8, of the preliminary dispositions of the tariff comprehends:

• First. Warlike articles and munitions of war.
• Second. Implements, apparatus, instruments, and naval munitions.
• Third. Provisions, articles of uniform, clothing for the crew, and other objects such as are customarily furnished by the state in rations, either by list daily or for a fixed time, when they shall be forwarded by their respective governments or by its naval administration, destined for the squadron or war-ships, and not exceeding a quantity necessary for a six months’ supply.
• Fourth. Objects for the uniform and arms of the officers on board, instruments of their profession, books, maps, and prints (impresos) imported in their names.
• Fifth. Wine imported for the use of the officers on board, provided that it does not exceed the quantity fixed by the annexed table, and that no more shall be received at one time than sufficient for a three months’ supply in proportion to the entire amount. All other goods and objects not herein mentioned, and all quantities exceeding those fixed in the table mentioned, shall pay duty under the tariff in force as though they were not for the officers and crews of foreign war-vessels. Requests for free dispatch may be made only by the legation or by the chief of the naval station, or, in their absence, by the commanders of war-vessels; and the directions indicated at the end of the opinion of January 24, 1874, from the treasury to the ministry under the charge of your excellency being observed, the goods referred to may be sent from their place of deposit, or from the ship in which they were imported, on board of that for which they are intended.

I beg that your excellency will communicate this by circular to the foreign legations at this court, so that they may not only have all consideration for the rules established for the concession of this favor, but that, in the interest of the customs-service, they may facilitate the prompt delivery of the goods whose free dispatch is asked, by giving the necessary information concerning the shipment, character, and destination of the respective articles.

God save your excellency.