Concerning the royal orders of 15 Oct. 1781 on English prizes brought to Spain by French and American corsairs, the Interim Judge of Contraband at Bilbao points out that there is no American consul there to exhibit the necessary declaration of valid prizes from American judges and that it is extremely difficult to bring an exemplification from American courts. He asks therefore, if he should contin ue to issue declarations of valid prizes as he has done previously. He also asks if he should issue customs permits whenever merchants wish to sell the goods (from the prizes) in Castile, so that the duties can be charged at the custom houses of Orduna and Balmaseda; thereby exempting the goods consumed in Spain.
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829