948 A P P EN D I X TO Vol. HI. 



Thefe veflels can at all times procure licence to take In a lading 

 of mclaiFes at any pert in St. Domingo; this affords them another 

 opportunity of vending any prohibited articles; and they are further 

 aliifted in this illicit commerce by the French Hoops which ply in 

 the offing, and receive their goods before they come into port; the 

 American veffels tl^en enter light, and may embark whatever com- 

 modities of the ifland they pleafe, only taking care to lay melaffes 

 in their upper tier. Not only the planters, but the officers, find 

 it advantageous to give them encouragement ; and the latter connive 

 at many little irregularities, which happen in tb.e mode of conduct- 

 ing this trade; fo that it is no wonder that the Americans are able, 

 fomehow or other, to buy or to difpofe of whatever articles are moft 

 convenient for them. 



Now and then, upon violent complaints of the French mer- 

 chants, fome feizures have been made of thefe interlopers, for having 

 fugars on board ; bu% after detaining them for fome time, they have 

 generally been releafed, and fuffered to proceed on their voyages. 



It does not appear that the Dutch carry on any trade either at 

 the Mole, or any other port of Hifpaniola; and if they have any 

 with the Spaniards, it is probably of very little confequence; lb 

 that the Americans now fland almoft unrivalled, without excepting 

 fcarcely even the Oiipping of France ; and may with truth be 

 affirmed to have contributed nearly as much as the French them- 

 fclves, towards the efiabliQiment of this new port, its town, and 

 trade in particular; and in a general view, to the advancement of 

 mofl of the other trading ports of Hifpaniola, the encouragement of 

 its ftaple produeflions, and its prefent very flourifhing and formidable 

 ffate. 



Port Duties. 



The duty on anchorage is from fix to twelve dollars, according 

 to the tonnage of every veffel. 



On falt-fifh, one ^onnd per cent, on the falc. 



Lumber, flour, and other articles, two pounds per cent. 



Thus thefe duties can never be opprcflive on the American im- 

 porter, becaufe they are levied ad valorem^ and paid in effect by the 

 French confumers. Their produdl is applied towards the carrying 

 on the fortifications and other public works, and contingent ex- 



pences 



