DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
On inquiring at the Department of Commerce I was informed that it had
charge of all vessels engaged in internal traffic as well as in foreign
trade, and operated lines of steamers running to all ports of the
globe, carrying freight at a rate between home and foreign ports that
defied competition, but they did not carry freight between foreign
countries. The men for the Mercantile Marine were furnished by the Army
and had the same pay. They were required to load and unload cargo in
every port where they took on or discharged freight, and shippers did
not have to pay wharfage charges or pilot fees, for everyone took his
ship into port and out without a pilot. The department also had charge
of all Government warehouses, wharves and docks and appointed all
consuls to foreign countries and received their reports, which were
published in the National Gazette.
The business of the Department was run on the principle of the greatest
good to the whole people, so that whenever the profits any year
exceeded the expenses and the sinking fund, freight rates were reduced.