The city of Brunswick is but thirty English miles distant from Hanover, and is connected with it by railroad. The fact that the duchy of Brunswick on the death of the present duke reverts to the house of Hanover, tends also to support the suggestion that the two consulates be consolidated. PORT OF GEESTEMÜNDE. The new port of Geestemünde, on the lower Weser, has been completed and opened to commerce. A consular agency has been established at th s port, and Mr. Edward Ulriche, of Geestemünde, appointed to the position. This harbor is 1,700 feet long, 400 feet wide, enclosed by solid walls, and of sufficient depth to float the largest vessels. The fact of Geestemünde being a free port, its connexion by railroad with the interior, its admirable docks, (provided with hydraulic apparatus for landing and shipping merchandise,) its great facilities for provisioning of vessels, taking in ballast and fresh water, and its very extensive railroad depot, (affording every comfort for passengers to and from America,) will, in time, greatly and deservedly increase the commerical importance of this new and excellent port. TABLE No. 7. Statement of exports to the United States for the quarter ended September 30, The following is strictly a statement of sea-going vessels, or, in other words, those provided with registers and sea-letters. The measurement of a Hanoverian vessel is registered at the rate of 4,000 pounds to the ton. Previous to July 1, invoices were generally presented for registry and verification at Hamburg and Bremen. TABLE No. 8, Showing the number and tonnage of vessels belonging severally to the ports of the Elbe, Weser, Ems, and North sea. Showing the Hanoverian merchant navy in comparison with those of the other German states on the North and Baitic seas. Merchandise from this consular district is shipped to the United States by way of Hamburg or Bremen. TABLE No. 10, Showing in tabular form the rates of freight by way of Bremen. Destination. Description. Rates. New York..... (Per steamer.) Cotton and ordinary goods, with 15 per cent. £2 10 Do.... Do... Other merchandise, per steamer, with primage as above. 3 10 4 10 Philadelphia..... Other merchandise, per steamer, with primage as above, via Baltimore Hull and Liverpool line.... (Per sailing vessel.) 5 per cent. primage for 100 cubic feet... There are also low rates for all goods, wares, &c., shipped as ballast. 1 12 4 10 AMERICAN VESSELS UNDER HANOVERIAN PROTECTION. American vessels pass under Hanoverian protection upon entering the Elbe, Weser, and Ems; but the pilot fees are so affected by the size of the vessel, season of the year, and distance piloted, that it would be difficult to give any very concise tabular statement. For two or three-masted vessels, the Weser pilot's fee varies from seventy-two to fifteen cents for every foot of water drawn. The Elbe pilot's fee for piloting a vessel from below Gluckstadt to Hamburg or Altona amounts to one thaler for every foot of water drawn ; and in addition to this sum the pilot receives one thaler for every vessel, irrespective of tonnage, which he takes over the Blankenese bar. If, on account of ice or any obstruction, the pilot is obliged to run the vessel on the strand, and does not succeed in getting her off within twenty-four hours, the master may pay his fee and refuse additional services. Should the pilot remain on board he is required to pay one thaler daily for expenses, and afterwards on pilot the vessel to her destination, for which, however, he receives no fee. Should circumstances demand the pilot's presence for a distance out at sea, he will receive, in addition to his fee, the usual pay for a first steersman. Should the vessel, from too great a draught of water, be detained, and forced to make use of lighters, the pilot during this time will receive one thaler daily. REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTION OF COLLISIONS AT SEA. The Hanoverian Ministry of Finance and Commerce have lately issued a code of regulations for the prevention of collisions at sea. These regulations, however, not conflicting with those of other maritime services, it is deemed unnecessary to include them in this report. FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAIN-Wм. W. MURPHY, Consul General. JANUARY 5, 1863. Herewith I have the honor to transmit a tabular statement of the exports to the United States during the last quarter of the year 1862; and another, marked A, of those from all the states belonging to my consular district. The exports from this city amounted, during the said period, to 212,444.15 florins. Those from the whole district to 642,928.44 florins. Statement showing the exports from the States of Frankfort-on-the-Main, Hesse Darmstadt, Hesse Cassel, Baden, Nassau, Rhenish Bavaria, Hanover, and Brunswick, to the United States during the quarter ended December 31, 1862. Statement of exports from States of Frankfort-on-the-Main, &c.—Continued. Herewith I have the honor to submit to you a statement of the exports from my district to the United States during the last quarter, which shows a considerable increase with the corresponding quarter of last year. H. Ex. Doc. 41- -25 |