Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

Extract of a letter from the Consul of the United States at Liverpool, dated 2nd April, 1816.

Several of our tobacco-laden vessels having of late been refused entry for inconveniences, I beg leave to state what is required by the officers of the custom-house at this port, submitting to you the propriety of giving it publicity, with the view of preventing the recurrence of similar inconveniences.

In the title of the manifest should be inserted, the number of hhds. or packages on board in words at full, where laden, name and surname of the master, name of the vessel, port where owned, where built, tonnage, whence from, whither bound, number of men navigated by, and that three fourths of them are American citizens.

Then should follow in distinct and separate columns, the mark, number, tare, nett weight of each hhd. or package, with the names of the shippers and consignees.

The oath of the master to the truth of the manifest must be endorsed thereon, repeating the name of the vessel, where owned, where laden, the whole number of hhds. or packages taken on board, and declare that the mark, number, tare and nett weights of each hhd. or package are correct.

This oath is to be made before the British Consul, if any at the port or near it; if none, then before the chief officer or magistrate of the place: in which latter case, there must be furnished a certificate from some person duly authorised, stating that there was no British Consul at that time, either at or near that port.

In two late instances, the oaths to the manifests have not been admitted, because the words 'qualified to' were used instead of 'sworn to.'