No. 337.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Madrid , December 22, 1883. (Received January 9, 1884.)
Sir: The chief of the section of the Ministry of State having in charge the subject, called to-day at the legation and informed me that it had been decided to return the cattle tax collected by the Spanish consul at Key West, Fla., on the exportation of cattle to Cuba, which has been the subject of correspondence between this legation and the Minister of State. He said that instructions were being prepared to be sent to the consul at Key West on the subject, and that within a few days I would be advised by an official note of the action of the Spanish Government.
I have thought it best not to await the receipt of the promised note, but to give you information at once of the expected return of the illegally collected tax, which, if realized, will be the first practical step yet taken by the Spanish Government to remedy the complaints of our citizens in regard to the obstructions to commercial intercourse with Cuba.
I am, &c.,