TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C., January 1, 1874.
The accompanying revised regulations relating to the collection of customs, and the execution of the navigation laws of the United States, are promulgated for the information and government of public officers, who will hereafter strictly observe the same.
The general objects of these regulations are the same as those of the laws upon which they are founded, that is to say: the full and faithful collection of the customs revenue, the protection and development of the national commercial marine, and the efficient and economical administration of the public service.
Suggestions for such further amendment or change in these regulations as may aid in accomplishing these objects are invited both from customs officers and from persons familiar with the details of the system.
Officers whose duty it is to prepare and submit questions arising under the laws referred to, are requested to point out in their communications the particular articles of these regulations, and any circular, or other order, of subsequent date, affecting the same, and to indicate wherein the questions or cases submitted for special action differ in their circumstances from those contemplated by the general regulations.
When applications for the issue of marine documents to vessels involve questions not expressly and fully provided for in terms by these regulations, they should be submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury for special instructions.
All principal officers of the customs are instructed to set apart one copy of this compilation, to be known in their respective offices as the "standard copy," and to be corrected by the addition thereto, in form or substance, of all orders and instructions which affect these general regulations, or by marginal or other references to such orders or instructions. Such "standard copy" will be turned over by each retiring officer to his successor, as a part of the public property in his charge. WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON,
Secretary of the Treasury.
