No. 489.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Hunter.

No. 15.]

Sir: I inclose to the State Department copy of a communication to his excellency the prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, embracing the views of the State and Treasury Departments of the United States Government on the subject of a tax proposed to be levied by this government for the maintenance (in part) of light-houses on the coast. The communication embraces the views of the Secretary of State, based on a letter from Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, chairman of Light-House Board, and Hon. John B. Hawley, Acting Secretary of the Treasury, all referred to in letter of the Hon. William M. Evarts, dated October 23, 1878.

I have, &c.,

GEO. W. FISH,
United States Consul, Tunis.