To James Madison from James Maury, 23 June 1803
From James Maury, 23 June 1803
Liverpool 23d. June 1803
Sir,
I have the honor of your letter of 9th. April ⟨w⟩ith the supplement to the consular act, to which every attention ⟨s⟩hall be paid.
No mention being made in it relative to the ⟨m⟩asters of our Vessels furnishing the Consuls with the information which will be necessary to enable us to make up the Semi-annual returns of trade you require of us, I request ⟨y⟩our instructions whether, in case of refusal, I shall be warranted ⟨i⟩n Compelling compliance by withholding their Papers.
Inclosed you have statements of the duties, pilotage anchorage vessels in this port are subjected. Paper A. Comprehends what is denominated port dues, being for the support of the Docks, Piers, Buoys & two light houses belonging to this port. B. states what is paid by Vessels put into the Graving docks for repair &C. C relates to Quarantine. In these three classes ⟨o⟩f duties and charges British & all foreigners without distinction pay precisely the same. D relates to light money E. to anch⟨or⟩age & pilotage in which there is a difference between British & foreigners, but none between American and other foreigners.
In the News papers herewith are the particu⟨l⟩ars of additional duties about to take place, some of which will attach to our Imports, Exports & Ships.
This market is in so unsettled a state at this juncture from the late operations of the French relative to Hamburg & other neutral ports that it is not practicable to diges⟨t⟩ a price current. With much respect I have the Honor to be Your Most Obedient Servant
James Maury
The preceding is the full transcription of a document that was previously abstracted in The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State series. The original abstract contains additional annotation and source information.