No. 473.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. Manning.
Department
of State,
Washington, May 25,
1887.
No. 107.]
Sir: I transmit for your information, a copy of a
further letter from Messrs. Alexandre & Sons, of the 23d instant, and
observe that the receipt now furnished and the accompanying explanation
establishes the fact, as alleged by those gentlemen, that the importing
merchant in Mexico directly receives the benefit of the 2 per cent. rebate
in the settlement of his account for duties, the merchant’s receipt being
admitted as part payment of the amount due on the goods.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 107.]
Messrs. F. Alexandre &
Sons to Mr. Bayard.
Sir: Since ours of the 28th ultimo in answer to
your esteemed and gratifying communication of the 27th ultimo, we have
only yours of 28th same.
Now we beg to hand you the inclosed extract from our Vera Cruz agent (Mr.
Juan Ritter) of 8th instant, which confirms our several statements as to
the positive discrimination of the 2 per cent. less duties on goods ex
Spanish line of steamers, as allowed by the Mexican customs. The
inclosed blank form from the Vera Cruz customs-house clearly shows it,
as explained in extract from our agent, and which we think will have
been confirmed by the American consul there and by minister of United
States at Mexico. Can you favor us with anything new on this important
question?
Very respectfully,
[Page 730]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 107.]
Abstract of letter of Mr. Juan Ritter, dated May 8, 1887, our agent at
Vera Cruz.
F. A. & Sons.
2 per cent rebate on duties.—I have seen with
pleasure that the American consul of this place received orders from
your Secretary of State to report about the 2 per cent. rebate on duties
given to the Spanish line. Mr. Hoff, the American consul, called upon me
for this purpose, and I gave him with the greatest pleasure all the
information about it, explaining to him exactly the way the duties on
goods per Spanish steamer are liquidated, which is very simple. The
merchant fills out one of the receipts like the inclosed blanks,
corresponding to the 2 per cent. on the total amount of his duties, and
the custom-house admits this receipt in payment. Mr. Hoff besides asked
from me and other houses here an exact copy of some of our liquidations
of duties per Spanish steamers, with the exact figures, stating
merchandise, name of steamer, etc., which, of course, all refused to
give, as on one side there is no reasonable object for doing it, because
the way of liquidating is very clear and can not be denied by the
Mexican Government, and on the other side to give such particulars would
have been only a personal compromise in case the matter respecting the
special particulars is brought before the Mexican Government, without
the security to help to finish the question with a good success. I only
hope that the exertions or measures taken by the United States
Government may have a good result. So far the Mexican Congress has not
treated this question at all.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
107.—Translate.]
No._____.
Spanish steamer____, de____de 188—.
For $_____.
I (or we) have received from this maritime custom-house the sum of______
_______, being the 2 per cent. (2 per cent. upon $_____) rebate upon the
import duties in conformity with the contract of the 21st of August,
1886, the same corresponding with the duties specified in the
application for entry number——, register number of the steamer above
named.
Vera Cruz, ____ ____,
188______.
