March 19, 1861; The New York Herald
The public will find in the HERALD of this morning the two new tariffs which are destined to play an important part in the settlement of the troubles which now surround the United States. The Southern tariff is very simple and easily understood, but the Northern tariff is full of incongruities, and we have therefore endeavored to make it clear by throwing it alphabetically in tabular form. This tariff, so arranged, is thus ready for immediate reference. It will be perceived that spirits of turpentine, Peruvian bark, and other manufactures of flax, are liable to different rates of duty, without a distinct specification. Several interpolations also appear in different parts of the official document, whether clerical errors or legal alterations, is not stated. They will lead to litigations and trouble, annoyance and expense.
One of the effects of this Morrill tariff, however, will be to settle the question of the navigation of the Mississippi river–the only one which looked threatening to the South. The Southern tariff being lower than the Northern, all goods destined for Memphis, St. Louis, Cincinnati and other ports of entry in the West, will be landed at New Orleans, giving employment to the boats and railroads on and near the Mississippi river, and reviving the old business as it flourished before the East opened its artificial connections with the West.
A despatch from Savannah intimates that goods in transit through the Confederate States for such States as are without their jurisdiction can proceed to their destination without payment of duties.
Advices from Charleston state that a despatch had been received in that city from Havre, intimating that ships from the Confederate States would be admitted into that port on the same footing as those carrying the federal flag.
The administration having come to a decision upon the claims of applicants, the following gentlemen have been appointed to represent the nation abroad:
Charles Francis Adams–Minister to England
William L. Layton–Minister to France
N. P. Judd–Minister to Prussia
George P. Marsh–Minister to Sardinia
James Watson Webb–Minister to Turkey
Jacob T. Halderman–Minister to Sweden
W. S. Thayer–Consul General to Alexandria.
Nothing of importance transpired in the Senate of the United States yesterday beyond the confirmation of appointments and the delivery of a speech by Mr. Breckinbridge on the resolution of Mr. Douglas.
Advices from Fort Brown intimate the surrender of the Ringgold Barracks at Brazos Santiago to the Texan troops, and that its evacuation would take place on the 20th inst. Col. Ben McCulloch is now on his way to Richmond to purchase arms for the State of Texas. He will also endeavor to induce President Davis to form a regiment of mounted riflemen for the protection of the Texan frontier.
The tenor of advices from Washington indicate no change in the policy of the administration relative to the reception of the Southern Commissioners. Preparations for the evacuation of Fort Sumter will probably be inaugurated in a few days, but the mode in which it will take place has not yet been decided upon. The rush of place hunters still continues.
The attendance of members in both branches of our State Legislature yesterday was rather slim, and the proceedings were not in the main of great importance. In the Senate but little business was transacted. Among the few bills introduced was one to amend the Revised Statutes in relation to the assessment and collection of taxes. The bill amendatory of the act establishing regulations for the port of New York was ordered to a third reading. In the Assembly a number of petitions in favor of a railroad in Broadway were presented. Progress was reported on the Metropolitan Health bill, and also on the bill to amend the city charter. Various other reports were made, and different bills otherwise acted upon, but none of them of general interest.