No. 350.
Mr. Frelinghuysen to Mr. Foster.

[Extract.]
No. 144.]

Sir: I inclose copies of a circular of the Treasury Department of the 28th ultimo, touching the suspension of discriminating duties on importations in Spanish vessels from Cuba and Porto Rico. * * *

I am, sir, &c.,

FRED’K T. FRELINGHUYSEN.
[Inclosure in No. 144.]

Circular.

no discriminating duties on importations in spanish vessels from cuba and porto rico.

To collectors of customs and others:

The attention of collectors of customs and other officers concerned in the collection of the revenue from customs is invited to the provisions of the following proclamation by the President, whereby goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the United States in Spanish vessels from the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico are relieved from the discriminating duty of 10 per cent, ad valorem heretofore collected under section 2502 Revised Statutes. The collection of such discriminating duties is therefore suspended until otherwise ordered.

CHAS. J. FOLGER
,
Secretary.

By the President of the United States of America:

a proclamation.

Whereas by a memorandum of an agreement executed at Madrid on the 13th day of February, A. D. 1884, by and between the duly authorized agents and representatives of the Government of the United States of America and of the Government of His Majesty the King of Spain, satisfactory evidence has been given to me that the Government of that country has abolished the discriminating customs duty heretofore imposed upon the products of, and articles proceeding from, the United States of America imported into the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, said abolition to take effect on and after the 1st day of March next:

Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by section 4228 of the Revised Statutes, do hereby declare and proclaim that, on and after the said 1st day of March next, so long as the products of, and articles proceeding from, the United States, imported into the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico shall be exempt from discriminating customs duties, any such duties on the products of, and articles proceeding from, Cuba and Porto Rico under the Spanish flag shall be suspended and discontinued.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.


[seal.]
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.

By the President:
Fred’k T. Frelinghuysen,
Secretary of State.