Mr. Seward to Mr.
Stoeckl
Department of State,
Washington,
June 13, 1864.
Sir: Referring to your note of the 20th of May
(1st instant) relative to a decision of the council of the empire
concerning vessels driven into the ports of Russia under stress, and to
your inquiry whether a similar law exists in the United States, I have
the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter
upon the subject, of the 6th instant, from Mr. Harrington, Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury, together with a copy of the act referred to,
from which it will be seen that a similar exemption from navigation dues
is extended, by existing laws, to all foreign vessels in ports of the
United States. Accept, sir, the renewed assurance of my very high
consideration.
Mr. Edward de Stoeckl,
&c., &c., &c.
Mr. Harrington to Mr. Seward
Treasury
Department,
June 6, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, in which you submit for
my consideration the proposition of the imperial government of
Russia, as contained in a note from Mr. de Stoeckl, of 4th instant,
concerning Russian vessels driven by stress into the ports of the
United States.
The 60th section of the act of March 2, 1799, makes ample provision
for all cases of vessels driven by stress into the ports of the
United States, to which you are respectfully referred.
[Page 300]
It has been decided by this department that every such foreign vessel
is not liable to tonnage dues, nor is the cargo liable to
discriminating duties, but she is regarded as on her way to her port
of destination.
With great respect,
GEO. HARRINGTON, Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
