Mr. Seward to Mr. Geofroy
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 3d instant, requesting that the plea of certain French subjects residing in the United States be relieved from the burden of a tax imposed for the purpose of compensating volunteer recruits may be granted, and, in reply, to inform you that the tax is not a local one, but is imposed by State law, in conformity with State constitution, for public and general purposes, and domiciled aliens are entitled to no exemptions from burdens of the State.
Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration,
Mr L. de Geofroy, &c., &c., &c.