130 COFFEE. 



guished by some special mark. Samples are drawn from each, 

 bag, similar qualities are put together, and the coffee is then re- 

 sacked in coarse bags, of uniform size, each made to hold sixty 

 kilogrammes, or one hundred and thirty-two pounds. From the 

 packers the exporter secures his supply, which is forwarded either 

 by sailing vessel or steamer to the different ports of destination, 

 the principal of which in the United States are New York, Balti- 

 more, and New Orleans. Formerly New Orleans received the 

 bulk of the supply, but since the war New York has been the 

 chief market. Cargoes by sailing vessel are generally owned by 

 one firm, while steamer cargoes are the property of many. Since 

 July 1, 1872, there has been no import duty upon coffee. The 

 first duty levied by our Government on this article was two and 

 one-half cents per pound, imposed in 1789, afterward increased 

 in 1790 to four cents per pound, and in 1794 to five cents, remain- 

 ing at that figure until 1812, when it was advanced to ten cents, 

 and so remained until the close of the war. In 1814 the duty 

 was placed at five cents, remaining unchanged until 1828, when 

 it was reduced to two cents, and in 1830 to one cent, and in 1832 

 made free, and so continued until the civil strife of 1861 was 

 inaugurated, when four cents per pound was imposed, afterward 

 increased to five cents, and so continuing until January 1, 1871, 

 when it was reduced to three cents, and finally entirely abolished, 

 July 1, 1872. 



HOW COFFEE IS IMPORTED. 



Supposing we have ordered our agent in Eio de Janeiro 

 to forward to us one thousand bags of coffee of sixty kilos, 

 each, the order is fiUed, the coffee placed aboard steamer 

 or sailing vessel, and in due course of time landed in New 

 York, Baltimore, or New Orleans, or perhaps sent to Hamp- 

 ton Koads for orders. The following will show the cost of 

 the above purchase placed in warehouse in Brooklyn, in which 

 city all Brazil coffee entering the port of New York is now 

 stored. 



