No. 14.
Mr. Osborn to Mr. Evarts.

No. 271.]

Sir: I have just received a note from the minister of foreign affairs, informing me that the time for receiving articles at the Continental Exposition, as fixed in the regulations, has been extended until the 31st of July of the present year.

The commission has determined to receive no articles outside of the South American countries except machinery and objects of art.

I have had several interviews with Mr. John Samson, agent for Messrs. Root & Tinker, publishers of the American Exporter, New York, who is acting as agent for the American interests in the proposed exposition.

We have proposed, in case the samples of American products now on exhibition at Rio de Janeiro can be brought here, and this government will pass them free of duty, of which I have but little doubt, to obtain a suitable building outside of the exposition grounds in which to exhibit them. This proposition will be opposed by the directive commission, as the exposition is under the control of, and in the financial interest of, private parties.

I have, &c.,

THOS. O. OSBORN.