Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1878

No. 62.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Evarts .

Legation of the United States at Central America,
Guatemala , January 14, 1878. (Received February 16.)

No. 752.]

Sir: I have the honor of inclosing you a copy and translation of a decree of the Government of Guatemala, just issued, reducing the duty upon flour $1 per quintal, or about 1 cent per pound. The duty on that article still remains very high.

I have, &c.,

GEO. WILLIAMSON.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 752.—Translation.]

decree reducing duty on flour.

National Palace , Guatemala , January 5, 1878.

Looking to reduction as convenient and as may be permitted by the necessities, of the treasury the taxes created during the last war, and maintained for some time afterward, to cover with their products the heavy expenses occasioned by the same, the General President, with the idea of favoring the interests of the inhabitants of the republic, and particularly the poorer class, who suffer more fully the consequences of the increased taxes in matters of consumption of primary necessity, has thought well to decree that from the 15th of the present month of January the quintal of flour of the country will be free from the tax of eight reals imposed by the decree No. 150, of March 14, 1876. Let it be communicated. Sealed by the President.

SALAZAR.