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

Mr. Hunter to Sir F. Bruce

Department of State, Washington, June 7,1865.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 5th instant, relative to the charges levied on British vessels in the port of Boston, and to inform you that the necessity for a consideration of its contents has been anticipated by my note of to-day and its accompaniments, upon the subject, wherein it is stated by the Secretary of the Treasury that no fee for readmeasurement of British vessels will be charged; but that the tax cannot, in compliance with the act of the 6th of May, 1864, be levied upon the basis afforded by the British register. The collector of the port of Boston has been authorized to refund any excess of tonnage he may have received under the act of the 6th of May, 1864.

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your obedient servant,

W. HUNTER, Acting Secretary.

Hon. Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce, &c., &c., &c.