Appendix F.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 29th December, 1876.
Sir, I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to forward you a copy of a translation of a letter from the Governor General of Philippines reporting the opening of the port of Sulu to Foreign Trade.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed,)
J. GARDINER AUSTIN, Colonial Secretary.
The Honourable P. RYRIE,
Chairman, Chamber of Commerce.
Translation.
MANILA, 16th November, 1876,
YOUR EXCELLENCY,-I have this day issued the following decree:-
In accordance with the proposal made by the Board of Finance, and in the exercise of the special powers in me vested, and further without prejudice to what may have been previously determined, or what may be hereafter determined by the Minister for the Colonies, I hereby proclaim as under :-
1. The port of Sulu is, from this date, open to foreign trade with full immunity from export or import duties on all goods, with the exception of fire-arms or war material and of all articles affecting public order and morality.
2. Within forty-eight hours after inspection by the Health Officer, and after granting of Pratique, vessels anchored at Sulu shall submit to the proper Authorities a manifest of their cargo, and the Commandant of the port shall be empowered personally, or by Deputy, to effect a comparison, if he shall deem fit, between said manifest and the cargo. Vessels conveying cargo from Sulu to ports in these Islands or to foreign ports shall also submit for the purpose of compiling correct commercial statistics a return of said cargo stating whether it be home produce or not.
3. Vessels in Sulu complying with these regulations shall be allowed to export the whole or part of their cargoes to any port of the Archipelago, which they may specify, subject to the permission of the Commandant of the place.
4. Exports from Sulu shall be deemed to be foreign goods at all Customs ports of these Islands, but native produce, if conveyed in native bottoms, shall be allowed to come under the regulations of the coasting trade.
5. Cargoes conveyed to Sulu in native bottoms shall be allowed to come within the regulations of the coasting trade, but if conveyed in foreign vessels, the latter shall be subject to the Custom-House Regulations in force at the port of departure.
6. The Board of Finance shall submit to this Government such regulations as they may deem necessary for the furtherance and realization of the objects of this Decree.
The foregoing is communicated to Your Excellency for your information,
His Excellency
The Governor of Hongkong.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,) JOSE MALCAMPO.
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