Hon. JOHN SHERMAN, CUSTOM-HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS., Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C.: SIR: As responsive to department letters T. B. S. of the 10th ultimo and 9th instant, supplemental thereto, I transmit herewith certain statistics relative to the importations of fermented and alcoholic liquors and wines, which I hope may be of some assistance to the department in the prosecution of its investigation. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. W. BEARD, Collector. Hon. JOHN SHERMAN, CUSTOM-HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS., Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. : SIR: Respectfully referring to department letter T. B. S. of the 10th instant, relative to "requiring an actual test for the purpose of determining the alcoholic strength of all still wines imported at your (this) post, and to keep a like record as far as practicable in regard to fermented and alcoholic liquors," &c., I have the honor to inclose herewith a communication from the surveyor of the port, wherein he states that in order to furnish the information called for it will be necessary that a complete set of distilling apparatus be procured and a room set apart for a laboratory under the charge of a practical chemist. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. W. BEARD, Collector. CUSTOM-HOUSE, BOSTON, MASS., SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, relating to testing the alcoholic strength of still wines imported at this port, and respectfully state that I have had an interview with our marker and prover, Colonel Jackson, who says that with his present apparatus he cannot obtain a correct test of the alcoholic strength of still wines or fermented liquors. He has a complete record of the tests of all alcoholic liquors that have been imported here during the last ten years. If it shall be decided that this department is to furnish the information called for, it will be necessary that we be furnished with a complete set of distilling apparatus and a room set apart for a laboratory under the charge of a practical chemist. Very respectfully, A. W. BEARD, Esq., Collector. A. B. UNDERWOOD, Surveyor. Memorandum of indirect importations of wines and alcoholic liquors into the port of Boston during the year ended April 1, 1879, together with the country of production and immediate shipment. Memorandum of the various kinds of fermented or alcoholic liquors imported into the port of Boston from foreign countries during the year ended April 1, 1879. Memorandum of wines and alcoholic liquors manufactured in this country and exported from the port of Boston to foreign countries during the year ended April 1, 1879. Memorandum of wines and alcoholic liquors imported into Boston and re-exported without the payment of duties during the year ended April 1, 1879. CUSTOM-HOUSE, PORTLAND, ME., Hon. LOT M. MORRILL, Collector of Customs: SIR: In compliance with the request contained in your communica tion of the 12th instant, I respectfully transmit the following statement of the importations of spirituous liquors, ales, and wines into this port since January 1, 1878: CUSTOM-HOUSE, PORTLAND, ME., SIR: Respectfully referring to department letters of March 10 and April 9, 1879, in regard to the subject of importations of fermented and alcoholic liquors and wines, and instructing me to collect certain statistics in regard to the matter, I have the honor to transmit herewith a statement made by the appraiser at this port giving the statistics called for of transactions at this port from January 1, 1878, to April 20, 1879. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, L. M. MORRILL, Hon. H. F. FRENCH, Assistant Secretary. Collector. CUSTOM-HOUSE, NEW YORK CITY, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of department letters T. B. S. under date of the 10th ultimo, and H. B. J. of the 9th instant, inclosing two reports from the Committee on Finance to the United States Senate, relating to the importation and exportation of wines and spirits, with the alcoholic strength of the same, and in reply would respectfully state that the absolute alcohol contained in wines cannot be given without a chemical test. A report from the appraiser on the alcoholic strength of wines and spirits is herewith inclosed. From the examination of one hundred entries of spirits for the year 1878 the average alcoholic strength is found to be as follows: For brandy, 39,562 gallons, 110°; gin, 27,940 gallons, 1012; whisky, 6,305 gallons, 118°; rum, 4,475 gallons, 120,40. I inclose statement showing the quantity and value of wines and spirits imported and exported during the year 1878, also a statement of shipment of the same from countries other than those of production. Very respectfully, Inairee importation of wines and spirits during calendar year 1878. |