Mr. Seward to M. Berthemy
Department of State, Washington, December 28, 1866.
Sir: I have the honor to state that, in
accordance with a proposition made by his Majesty’s government,
through the Marquis de Montholon, to the government of the United
States, the President has this day issued a proclamation, to take
effect on the 1st day of January, 1867, removing the imposition of
discriminating tonnage dues upon French vessels coming into ports of
the United States.
Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my very high consideration.
M. Berthemy, &c., &c., &c.
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
Whereas satisfactory evidence has been received by me from his
Imperial Majesty the Emperor of France, through the Marquis de
Montholon, his envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary,
that vessels belonging to citizens of the United States entering
any port of France or of its dependencies, on or after the first
day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, will
not be subjected to the payment of higher duties on tonnage than
are levied upon vessels belonging to citizens of France entering
the said ports—
Now, therefore, I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by an act of
Congress of the seventh day of January, one thousand eight
hundred and twenty-four, entitled, “An act concerning
discriminating duties of tonnage and impost,” and by an act in
addition thereto of the twenty-fourth day of May, one thousand
eight hundred and twenty-eight, do hereby declare and proclaim
that on and after the said first day of January, one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-seven, so long as vessels of the United
States shall be admitted to French ports on the terms aforesaid,
French vessels entering ports of the United States will be
subject to no higher rates of duty on tonnage than are levied
upon vessels of the United States in the ports thereof.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of
Washington, this
twenty-eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and of the
independence of the United States of America the
ninety-first.
[seal.] ANDREW
JOHNSON.
By the President:
William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
