Mr. Wharton to Mr.
Conger.
Department
of State,
Washington, June 23,
1891.
No. 62.]Sir: I inclose for your information a copy of a
letter from Messrs. Charles Ahrenfeldt & Son, of New York, in which they
complain that the government of the State of Amazonas imposes a tax of 5 per
cent on rubber from Peru in transit for New York down the Amazon River. As
no entry of the rubber is made at Manaos, it is claimed that the tax is
unreasonable and in violation of the practice of commercial nations. You
will inquire into the matter, and if the facts appear as stated make proper
representations against this tax.
I am, etc.,
William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 62.]
Charles Ahrenfeldt &
Son to Mr. Blaine.
Dear Sir: We are interested in a house in Peru,
South America, which ships to us as remittances crude rubber. This
rubber is shipped to Para via the Amazon River and then to New York, and
passes in transit through the Brazilian State Amazonas (formerly the
Brazilian province of Amazonas). The governor of this State has recently
issued a notice compelling a tax of 5 per cent to be paid on all such
shipments passing through his State.
[Page 41]
The Amazon, we believe, is considered free to all vessels of any flag,
and the question arises if the governor of Amazonas has a right to levy
a tax on our goods in transit, particularly when no entry whatever is
made at Manaos nor any trouble given the authorities.
The Amazon River being free, and vessels as a rule not sailing without
cargoes of some kind, their cargoes, being in transit, should likewise
be free. We have already been compelled to pay over $5,000, and we beg
your honorable decision in this matter.
Yours, very respectfully,
Charles Ahrenfeldt & Son,
Per
E. J.
Conrad.
