The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA.

The following copy of an Ordinance, printed in French, was received from Martinique, with a request that it might be translated and published.

ORDINANCE on the American Trade.

Claude Charles viscount de Damas, major-general in the king's armies, lieutenant-governor general of Martinique and its dependencies, and commandant general of the French Windward Islands in the West Indies, during the absence of the governor, lieutenant general of said islands.

Jacques Petit, esquire, lord of Vievigne, one of his majesty's most honorable council, honorary councillor in Martinique, judge general and ordinator in the island of Martinique and its dependencies.

July 23, 1783.

THE commerce of the colonies in these seas with North America, holding up the prospect of a reciprocal advantage to the two nations, and the latter allowing in her ports to our merchants every inviting encouragement, it is just that we should use the same expedient, to invite them to ours ports. It appeared to us that the inward duties and expences not being equal to their cargoes nor the rate of their vessels : and on the other hand, that slowness in getting their freight, occasioning great expence to them, which was the cause of their aversion for trading with us. Wishing to put a Stop to all these inconveniences, and give to those merchants every encouragement to furnish our colonies with what goods the national commerce cannot afford them, and procure to the Americans the exportation of such commodities as our traders cannot export themselves, We, &c. in virtue of the powers trusted to us by his Majesty. have regulated, statuted, and ordained, and we do regulate, statute & ordain what follows:

Article 1st, The Americans who shall think proper to trade in this colony and its dependencies, shall be taxed for the inward duties in our ports only at the rate of 16 livres 10 sols for anchorage, 24 livres 15 sols for the declaration at the admiralty, and the same sum for the rights of the interpreter including his trouble for conducting the captain to the government, and to different places where he must fulfill his formalities.

Article 2d. Wishing to favor the quick dispatch of the American vessels, it will be granted to those merchants who have established or shall settle in the quarter of La Galere, and within the circumference of St. Pierre, rum stores, and cisterns for their molasses, and exemption from all taxes for their negroes, and themselves, for five years.

These presents shall be registered at the government's office, as well as at the admiralty and domain, and published so as to be made known to every person.

Given at Port Royal, Martinique, the twenty third day of July, 1783, under the seal of our arms, and the counter sign of our secretaries.

Signed DAMAS and VIEVIGNE : and by Monsieur the General, signed BIOCHE. and by Monsieur the Ordinator, signed DE LEAU.