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00340	CHARGING	A	T;ARANTINE FEE AT FORT-
ON VESSELS CONSIDERED EXORBITANT, UNNECESSARY AND ILLEGAL FOR MOST TYPE VESSELS IN COASTAL TRADE July 26, 1866
N.O. Times - Thursday, July 26, 1866 p 8 c *4
QUARANTINE FEES
On the 1st of July, under the head of "A Reform Needed," we stated that no distinction was made between small and large craft plying on the Lake, in the amount of Quarantine fees exacted.
In nroof of the assertion, we gave a statement of the Captain of the schooner Norman, which vessel measures 1/2 tons, who paid $7.50 at Fort Pike while returning from a trip to Biloxi, and stated that other similar complaints were in our possession.
Through Dr. Dirmeyer, Secretary of the Board of Health, we learn that such charges are illegally exacted, per following list of rates established by law:
Vessels under 10 tons burden	Free
Over	10	and under	25	tons	$2.50
Over	25	and under	5>0	tons	5.00
Over	50	tons	7.50
Thus it will be seen that the Norman, and all craft of her kind of less burden than 10 tons are entitled to go free.
p 15 c *+
Forcing a poor oysterman, owners of wood vessels,’charcoal burners, to pay*a quarantine tax is an abomination.
Why were these fees not exacted in the years 1858, 1859, i860 and 1861 ? Why have they been demanded at this time ?
NJiX# MJS note:	Fear	of Cholera was reason for stoppage,
examination, and fee collecting. Cholera began showing in NewOrleans in late July . but primarily from St. Louis as well as Caribbean ports. New York had big problem. Fear of lT. S. Gulf of Mexico ports carried quarantine to the extreme since up-river boats were not checked.
Cholera cases at New Orleans began Julv lU ?■*	or	oi
August 1, 3 — Der "Times"	’	’
es of August 6, 1866 p 2 c ?