It will be observed from the foregoing table that the tonnage of vessels entered of every nationality, engaged in the commerce of the United States with foreign countries, exhibited an increase, with the exception of American tonnage. The increase in British tonnage entered amounted to 6,744,093 tons, and the increase in the total foreign tonnage entered amounted to 10,418,446 tons, whereas the American tonnage entered exhibited a decrease of 225,985 tons. The total value of merchandise imported into and exported from the United States in American and in foreign vessels during each year from 1856 to 1882 is shown in Table VII of the Appendix. From this table it appears that in the year 1856 75.2 per cent. of the total value of imports and exports of merchandise was carried in American vessels, but that in the year 1882 only 15.5 per cent. of such merchandise was carried in American vessels. The decline of the maritime interest in the United States is also very clearly indicated by the relative proportion of foreign and of nativeborn seamen employed on board of American and of British vessels respectively. Of the total number of seamen employed in the British merchant marine in the year 1881, 85.24 per cent. was native born, and only 14.76 per cent. of foreign birth. It is impossible to state precisely the number of American and of foreign seamen employed in the merchant marine of the United States, as information of that character is not collected by officers of the customs. This bureau is, however, informed by the Supervising Surgeon-General of the Marine Hospital Service that the records of his office show that about 75 per cent. of the entire number of seamen employed in both the coastwise and the foreign commerce of the United States are either foreigners or naturalized citizens. This applies only to seamen coming under the cognizance of the Marine Hospital Service. The proportion of American seamen employed on board of American vessels which are engaged only in our foreign commerce is believed to be considerably less. The recent action of the French Government for the promotion of the merchant marine of France. A year ago attention was invited to the somewhat extraordinary scheme of subventions adopted by France on the 29th of January, 1881, for the promotion of her merchant marine. As those measures necessarily exert a potential influence upon the shipping interests of the United States, it appears proper again to state the provisions of the French law. The scheme of subventions which was adopted relates both to the building and to the employment of vessels. It is asserted in the body of this law that the subsidies granted to ship-building are for the pur rials entering into ship-building in France, and that the subsidies granted for the employment of vessels are for the purpose of compensating the mercantile navy for the service it renders the country in the recruitment of its military navy. The subsidies granted for ship-building are estimated upon the gross tonnage of vessels, and are as follows: For iron and steel vessels, 60 francs per ton. For wooden vessels of 200 tons or more, 20 francs per ton. For wooden vessels of less than 200 tons, 10 francs per ton. And for composite vessels, 40 francs per ton. The payment for steam engines and apparatus connected therewith is at the rate of 12 francs per 100 kilograms. The navigation bounty is fixed at 1 franc 50 centimes per registered ton, per 1,000 miles run for new vessels. It is confined to vessels engaging in foreign trade, and is to be reduced annually during a period of ten years, when it will cease. The navigation bounties are reduced one-half from that stated above for vessels of foreign construction, but sailing under the French flag. The navigation bounty is increased 15 per cent. in the case of steamers built in France according to plans approved of by the Marine Depart ment. The effects of the law were not observable in the returns of shipbuilding for the year 1881, and the data for the year 1882 are not yet available. Recent information, deemed to be reliable, indicate, however, that there is great activity in all the ship-yards of France. It is stated that more orders have been received by the French shipbuilders than they have been able to execute within the time required. French maritime interests which before were languishing have revived. During the early period of ocean steam navigation the British Merchant Marine enjoyed great advantages from governmental subsidies for carrying the mails. It is not deemed proper here to enter upon the consideration of the complex and difficult question as to remedies which should be adopted for the restoration of the fallen fortunes of the American merchant marine. That subject now commands the attention of a joint committee of the two houses of Congress. 1 am, sir, respectfully, yours, Hon. CHAS. J. FOLGER, Secretary of the Treasury. JOSEPH NIMMO, JR., Chief of Bureau. |