Office of the Historian
No. 532.

Mr. Bayard to Mr. Foster.

Department of State,
Washington, April 29, 1885.
No. 332.]

Sir: In continuance of former correspondence on the subject of the so-called cattle-tax exacted on exports from Key West, by the Spanish consul there, I have to inclose a copy of a letter from Messrs. McGrew & Small, attorneys of James McKay and other exporters, who have paid such taxes, making a request as to the mode or channel of the promised refunding of said taxes. The adoption of their suggestion lies, of course, with His Majesty’s Government.

I am, &c.,

T. F. BAYARD.
[Inclosure in No. 832.]

Messrs. McGrew & Small to Mr. Bayard.

Washington, D. C., April 25, 1885.

Dear Sir: We have the honor to state that we represent the following-named persons whose claims against the Spanish Government for export duties on cattle paid “by them to the late vice-consul of Spain at Key West, Fla., are and have been on file in your Department since April, 1883, viz:

James McKay, Tampa, Fla.; Jno. H. A. Roberts, Key West, Fla.; Gideon Lowe, Key West, Fla.; Manuel Acosta, Key West, Fla.; A. F. Tift, Key West, Fla.; George H. Bocker, Key West, Fla.

Duly executed protests from these parties against the payments of these illegal duties, showing the amounts paid by each, and powers of attorney from each party authorizing [Page 711] us to represent him and to receive the amount when refunded by the Spanish Government, are also on file in your department. Learning that arrangements are about to be completed for the payment of these claims, we have the honor to request that such payment may be made through your Department to us as the duly authorized attorneys of the said claimants, and not through the Cuban authorities or the Spanish vice-consul at Key West, Fla.

Very respectfully,

McGREW & SMALL.