Mr. Geofroy to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you herewith the copy of a petition which was recently addressed to the consul general of the Emperor at New [Page 223] York, by Captain Chaniel, commanding the ship called Provençale, from Senegal, and by Mr. Bergham, the consignee of that ship. It would appear from this document that after the regular entry at the custom-house, and at the time they were proceeding to the discharge of the cargo, consisting of skins, gums, and nuts, the custom-house officers objected to the landing of the nuts until said merchandise had paid the double of the duty already assessed and paid, upon the ground that the productions of Senegal do not enjoy the same privileges reserved by the treaty between France and the United States to the productions of France.
The question started by the custom-house appears to me to be the result of an error, for in the case that the custom-house had a right to exact a higher duty upon productions other than those directly coming from the French ports on the European continent, this tax could only be a discriminating duty, which generally amounts to ten per cent. upon the sum of the regular duties, and not the double of it, as demanded in the present case
The captain and consignee of the Provençale have suspended the work of unloading until more fully informed. I therefore request your excellency to be pleased to ask for, and communicate to me, as soon as possible, a decision upon this subject from the Treasury Department.
Accept, sir, the assurance, of my high consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.