No. 493.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Reed.
Washington , April 14, 1883.
Sir: Referring to the advisability of adopting some measure of retaliation for the charges levied by the consuls of Spain in the ports of the United States, I have to inform you that Congress adjourned without making provision for the purpose in view, although a bill on the subject was introduced by Senator Call, of Florida. It will probably be pressed at the next session of Congress, unless the desired relief should sooner be obtained from Spain.
Meanwhile, in view of the importance of the matter, the frequency with which complaints in regard to these excessive charges are presented to the Department, the large sums of money collected from our shippers—especially cattle-shippers—and the urgent international question involved in this levy of a per capita tax on exports by Spain in the ports of another state, I must instruct you to lose no opportunity of impressing upon the minister of state the necessity of giving early heed to our just remonstrance.
I am, &c.,