Mr. Marsh to Mr.
Seward.
No. 166.]
Legation of the United States,
Florence,
October 6, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a
translation of a circular from the ministry of foreign affairs sent to
this legation by way of reply to Mr. Clay’s note of the 26th September,
1866, relative to the liability of American citizens residing in Italy
to assessment for forced loans, together with a copy of a note which I
addressed to the ministry in answer.
I was assured at the foreign office yesterday that proceedings against
American residents in Italy for the collection of assessments under the
royal decree would be suspended a sufficient time to allow of action on
the part of foreign governments respecting the subject.
I have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully, your obedient
servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
Note from the ministry of foreign
affairs.
[Translation.]
Florence,
October 5, 1866.
While the government of the King was occupied with the regulations
necessary for the collection of the national loan promulgated by
royal decree of the 28th of July last, several legations addressed
notes to the royal ministry of foreign affairs in order to obtain
for their respective citizens exemption from contribution to this
loan, basing their claim upon treaty stipulations between their
governments and the government of the King.
The royal minister of finance has had the question under
consideration, and, while he recognizes that the exemption invoked
is guaranteed to some of the states by treaty, for others it can
only be claimed on a liberal interpretation of the article which
stipulates the treatment of the most favored nation, or by the fact
of reciprocity established by common accord on the subject.
From this consideration the royal minister of finance has decided
that for foreigners belonging to the first category the exemption be
accorded in full, and that the same favor be extended to the
subjects of the states in the other categories on the condition that
the respective legations shall file with the government of the King
an official declaration to the effect that the governments which
they represent engage to observe in like case the principle of
reciprocity to the benefit of Italian subjects residing in their
territories. As the measures taken for the collection of the loan
cannot be interrupted, it is essential that this declaration should
be transmitted as early as possible to the ministry of foreign
affairs of his Majesty the King of Italy.
Note addressed to the minister of foreign
affairs.
Legation of the United
States,
Florence,
October 6, 1866.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of a circular note from the ministry of
foreign affairs, under date of the 5th of October, 1866, in relation
to the liability of the subjects and citizens of foreign states
residing in Italy to assessment for the national loan ordered by
royal decree on the 28th of July last, and I have lost no time in
transmitting a copy of the note to my government. The case not
having been foreseen, I am without special instructions on the
subject, and it is of course out of my power to bind the government
of the United States by a formal pledge which would exceed the usual
limits of diplomatic prerogative. At the same time I have no doubt
that my government will be entirely ready to secure to Italian
citizens residing in the United States complete reciprocity of
treatment in this as well as in all other particulars, and I trust
that his Majesty’s government will, with its accustomed liberality,
direct proceedings against American citizens residing in this
kingdom, for the enforcement of assessments under the decree, to be
stayed until the legation shall receive instructions on the subject
from the government of the United States.
I pray you, Mr. Minister, to accept the renewed assurances of my most
distinguished consideration.
