No. 311.
Mr. Fish
to Sir Edward Thornton.
Washington, 30th September, 1873.
Sir: The Secretary of the Treasury has addressed a communication to this Department under date of the 27th instant, relative to the thirtieth article of the treaty of Washington, in which it is provided that British subjects may carry in British vessels, without payment of duty, wares or merchandise from one port or place within the territory of the United States, upon the Saint Lawrence, the great lakes, and the rivers connecting the same, to another port or place within the territory of the United States as aforesaid; provided, that a portion of such transportation is made through the Dominion of Canada by land-carriage in bond, under such rules and regulations as may be agreed upon between the government of Her Britannic Majesty and that of the United States. And in like manner citizens of the United States may carry goods, wares, or merchandise, in United States vessels, from one port or place within the British possessions in North America to another port or place within the said possessions, &c.
By section 4 of the act approved March 1, 1873, to carry into effect the provisions of the treaty of Washington, it is enacted that article XXX shall go into operation as regards British subjects, carrying goods, wares, or merchandise in British vessels, &c., under such rules and regulations as may be agreed upon between the British government and the government of the United States.
In compliance with the wishes of the Secretary of the Treasury, I will thank you to inform me if any steps have been taken by the British government to carry into effect the provisions of the above-mentioned article as to United States vessels; and if so, to transmit to this Department a copy of such rules and regulations as may have been issued relative thereto.
I have, &c.,