No. 404.
Mr. Seward
to Mr. Burlage.
Washington, August 12, 1878.
Sir: Referring to your letter of the 21st ultimo, transmitting copies of a royal decree of your government issued upon June 2, last, concerning [Page 709] the exemption of vessels of the United States from admeasurement in Dutch ports, I have to inform you that, a copy of the decree in question having been communicated to the Treasury Department, a letter has been received from the Acting Secretary of the Treasury stating that the decree of the Government of the Netherlands being sufficient evidence of the adoption of the Moorsom system on its part, and of the recognition of the registers of American vessels in its ports as indicating their tonnage, a corresponding courtesy will be extended to Dutch vessels in the ports of this country and their register tonnage accepted, with the exception of such spaces as are not exempt from admeasurement under the law of the United States in accordance with article 137 of the Revised Regulations of 1874 and of circular of Treasury Department of April 24, 1878, copies of which have already been furnished the legation of the Netherlands.
I am, &c.,
Acting Secretary.