Mr. Blaine to Count
von Arco-Valley.
Department of State,
Washington, December 1,
1890.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith,
having regard to previous correspondence with your legation, a copy of a
circular issued by the commissioner of navigation, of the Treasury
Department, the 28th instant, touching the payment of tonnage dues. It
concludes as follows:
The fact that a vessel touches at an intermediate port, at which
it neither enters nor clears, and which touching is merely an
incident in the voyage, will not deprive such vessel of the
rights derived from sailing from a free port, such being its
port of departure.
Accept, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Treasury Department,
Bureau of
Navigation,
Washington, November 26,
1890.
Collector of Customs, New York.
Sir: In construing the circular from the
Bureau of Navigation, dated February 1, 1888, and in determining the
liability of vessels to the payment of tonnage dues, collectors will
look to the real port of departure and the actual voyage. The fact
that a vessel touches at an intermediate port, at which it neither
enters nor clears, and which touching is merely an incident in the
voyage, will not deprive such vessel of the rights derived from
sailing from a free port, such being its port of departure.
Respectfully, yours,
Wm. W. Bates,
Commissioner.
Approved:
William Windom,
Secretary of the Treasury.
