Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part II

Mr. Seward to Mr. Chase.

Department of State, Washington, April 16, 1863.

Sir: Referring to your communication of the 12th of December last in regard to the revenue systems of foreign countries, I have the honor to transmit, for your consideration, a despatch (No. 5) received from the United States consul at Leipsic, enclosing a communication from the minister of foreign affairs of Saxony, in which, as you will perceive, there is a reference to the pre-emption system as a remedy against fraud, which prevails in many European countries.

I will thank you to return the despatch after making such use of the information as you think proper.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury.