TABLE 5.

The earliest official record of the importation of Tea into the United States is in 1790, the order of increase for its importation, value and consumption in the country by decades since that year being as follows:—

Year.	Imports, Pounds.	Value.	Consumption per capita.	Average Import Price.
1790,	3,022,983	. . . . . .	. . .	. . .
1800,	5,119,341	. . . . . .	. . .	. . .
1810,	7,708,208	. . . . . .	. . .	. . .
1820,	. . . . . .	. . . . . .	. . .	. . .
1830,	8,609,415	$2,425,018	0.53	22.3
1840,	20,006,595	5,427,010	0.99	24.1
1850,	29,872,654	4,719,232	0.87	27.9
1860,	31,696,657	8,915,327	0.84	26.3
1870,	47,408,481	13,863,273	1.10	29.4
1880,	72,162,936	19,782,631	1.39	27.2
1890,	84,627,870	13,360,685	1.40	20.0

The first duty levied on tea by the United States was in 1789, when a tax of 15 cents was imposed on all Black teas, 22 cents on Imperial and Gunpowder, and 55 cents on Young Hyson. But in order to stimulate American shipping these duties were reduced to 8, 13 and 26 cents respectively, the following year, when imported from Europe in American vessels, and to 6, 10 and 20 cents when imported direct from China in the same manner. In 1794, however, the rates were increased 75 per cent. on direct importations, and 100 per cent. on all teas shipped from Europe, but again reduced to 12,18 and 32 cents in 1796, the latter rates being doubled during the War of 1812. In 1828 this tax was again reduced, being entirely removed in 1830, except when imported in foreign bottoms, when a duty of 10 cents per pound was collected. The latter rate continued in force up to the outbreak of the Rebellion in 1861, when a uniform duty of 15 cents per pound was placed on all teas, which was eventually increased to 20 cents and finally to 25 cents per pound. In January, 1871, this duty was reduced to 15 cents, being entirely removed in July, 1872, since which year tea has been uninterruptedly on the free list in the United States.