Extract from a letter from Messrs. H. J. & C. A. De Wolf to Mr. Consul Archibald, February 8, 1864

Extract from a letter from Messrs. H. J. & C. A. De Wolf to Mr. Consul Archibald.

We beg, through you, to call the attention of her Britannic Majesty’s representative at Washington to the recent action of the custom-house authorities in reference to the shipments to the British provinces of North America.

Since January 1, 1864, the custom-house authorities have not permitted American produce and other lawful merchandise to be shipped until bonds have been given by the shipper that they are intended for consumption in the provinces, and under no contingency to be reshipped so as to give aid to the insurgents; but when landing certificates are obtained, we find difficulty in cancelling. It is impossible for us to trace goods after they have passed through several hands, and should they run the blockade the shipper is responsible. This action of the customs places almost a total prohibition on trade, and is deemed a violation of treaty stipulations. On the 5th of February instant the customs authorities declined to receive bonds from the shipper, demanding that the cap tain of the vessel should give bonds, and refusing a clearance until this was done.

The British brig Stranger, Captain Campbell, was loaded for Halifax, Nova Scotia, and ready to clear. After three days’ delay at the custom-house, the master was compelled to sign a bond (of which the following is a copy) in the amount of $20,000, the shippers becoming sureties in $115,000.

“Whereas the said George Campbell is the master of the vessel called the. brig Stranger, now lying in the port of New York, laden with a cargo of certain goods valued at $20,111 76, which goods are particularly enumerated in the manifest of said brig, a copy of which is hereto annexed, and the said master has applied to the collector of the port of New York for a clearance of said vessel from the port of New York to the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the said collector, under the circumstances of the case, has deemed it necessary to require a bond in pursuance of the requirement of the statute in such cases made and provided: Now if said goods, wares, and merchandise shall be delivered at Halifax, aforesaid, and shall not be transported to any place under insurrectionary control, and shall not, in any way, be used to give aid or comfort to the insurgents, with or by the consent, permission, or connivance of the owners, carriers, or consignees thereof, then this bond, &c, &c.”

The British brig T. Congdon was also refused a clearance until the master had signed a similar bond in over $9,000, with two real estate sureties in $40,000. Before the breaking out of the war, the provinces obtained a large quantity of breadstuffs from Richmond, Georgetown, and other southern ports, and now are compelled to obtain their supplies almost exclusively from New York, and the exports have consequently increased about 50 per cent. This can be accounted for in the increase of population in Nova Scotia, together with the supplies needed in the gold mines and fisheries.