No. 101.
Mr. Porter
to Mr. Hall.
Washington, August 3, 1887.
Sir: I have had the pleasure to receive your No. 684, of the 12th ultimo, saying that the President of Guatemala had issued a decree placing, as nearly as the contract would permit, the vessels of the Pacific [Page 137] Mail Steamship Company upon the same footing as regards the customs rebate duty with those of the proposed Spanish line between Panama and San Francisco.
The Department would be pleased to see the entire abolition by the Government of Guatemala of any discrimination against an American, and in favor of a foreign line of steamers. At the same time it is gratifying to note the disposition of that Government to accord to American vessels treatment more in harmony with the amicable trade relations between the two countries.
I am, etc.,
Acting Secretary.