The tariff of Turkey is but nominal; being only three per cent. on all exports, and two per cent. additional as consumptive duty—making altogether, five per cent. on their value.
This free-trade principle, is not, however, purely from liberal motives, but the result of foreign compulsion, and their own ignorance of political economy. For, in their anxiety to counterbalance the deficiencies of the treasury, caused by unjust treaties extorted from them by foreign powers, they have imposed a duty of no less than thirteen per cent. on all their produce or exports, so that, when the governmental tithe upon the raw material, the various other direct and indirect taxes on the same, and the onerous export duty are together taken into consideration, the cost of the produce is, in effect, raised to about 30 or 35 per cent. above its original value.
Apart from this, if sheet iron, which is imported from England, and upon which the usual duty of 5 per cent. is already levied, be manufactured into stove pipes, or any other form, it is considered as home produce, and a new duty of 13 per cent. collected thereon!
The tariff is regulated every seven years, and the value of the different articles is determined by a commission of merchants representing the different nations, each of whom endeavors to maintain his own interest. One of these gentlemen exultingly boasted, that his own fortune was made, as he had succeeded in establishing a low valuation on a certain article in which he dealt very largely.
America has hitherto had no representative in this body, though her commerce has, especially of late, been rapidly increasing with this part of the world. It has only been through ignorance of the country and its resources, that American enterprise has made so little progress in the East, or been confined to the interposition of English and other houses.
Does this country present no inducements to the mercantile community? Let the following table of Exports and Imports speak for itself.
- Corn.
- Beans, peas, etc.
- Wool.
- Raw silk.
- Opium.
- Otto of roses, and other perfumes.
- Angora hair.
- Coffee (Mocha).
- Canary seed.
- Linseed.
- Do. oil.
- Rice.
- Yellow berries.
- Boxwood.
- Madder root.
- Tallow.
- Valonea.
- Gall nuts.
- Fruits.
- Drugs.
- Soap.
- Olives and olive oil.
- Sponges.
- Tobacco.
- Cotton.
- Sesame.
- Meerschaum.
- Carpets.
- Copper.
- Hides and skins.
- Bones.
- Confections.
- Helva.
- Shawls.
- Oriental manufactures.
- Leeches.
- Rags.
- Cordials.
- Cymbals.
- Lumber.
- Embroideries.
- Hemp and Flax.
- Salt.
- Mastic.
- Chibouks, Nargilles, and amber mouthpieces.
- Silk goods.
- Cotton goods.
- Woollen stuffs.
- Linen.
- Haberdashery.
- Hardware.
- Watches and clocks.
- Jewelry.
- Sugar.
- Coffee, pepper, and spices.
- Iron and nails.
- Coal.
- Stone ware.
- Logwood.
- Rum and wines.
- Fancy goods.
- Cochineal.
- Tanned hides.
- Glass ware.
- Furniture.
- Drugs and medicines.
- Butter.
- Kaviar.
- Tar.
- Ropes.
- Cordage.
- Chains.
- Corn.
- Stoves.
- Nicknacks.
- Machinery, etc.
- Furs.
- Crockery.
- Indigo.
- Dye stuffs.
- Paints.
- Mirrors.
- Millinery.
- Musical instruments, etc.
- Leather.
- Boots and shoes.
- Lead.
- Paper.
- Do. hangings.
- Tea.
- Books.
- Carriages.
- India rubber.
- Mahogany and rose-wood.