Mr. Chase to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your communication of the 24th instant, relative to duties upon articles furnished to foreign consuls in this country by their own governments for official use.
Your suggestion, “whether it may not be advisable that books, stationery, and like articles, imported by foreign consuls resident in the United States, or sent to them by their respective governments, and intended solely and entirely for official use in their several consulates, be admitted free of duty,” is worthy of consideration; and I will take early occasion to bring the subject to the attention of Congress.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State.