Mr. Blaine to Mr.
Douglass.
Deparment
of State,
Washington, January 9,
1891.
No. 89.]
Sir: You will perceive from the letter of Messrs.
G. A. Brett, Son & Co., copy of which I inclose, that vessels engaged in
trade in Haiti are detained in its ports for two and even three weeks after
their cargoes are discharged, and their clearance papers withheld until the
duties on the goods are paid by the consignees.
It would seem that the goods, which are in the hands of the customs
authorities, ought to be a sufficient security for the payment of the
duties, which are due from the consignees and not from the carriers; and the
detention of the vessel, as is alleged, even when about to call at another
port of the Republic, until the duties are paid, appears an unnecessary
interference with commerce.
If the representations made in the letter of the Messrs. Brett prove correct,
you will endeavor to obtain the removal or modification of the restrictions
in question.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 89.]
Messrs. G. A. Brett, Son &
Co. to Mr. Blaine.
41 South Street, New York, January
7, 1891. (Received January
8.)
Honorable Sir: We are running a regular line of
vessels from this port to Port-au-Prince, Haiti; the vessels comprising
the fleet are the American schooners Rickerson, Ebel,
Abbot, Laury, Thos. W. Stolder, and others. The success of the
line has been very much interfered with from the fact that our vessels,
the property of American citizens, have been detained in the port of
Port-au-Prince not one week only but two and three weeks, awaiting their
clearance papers, after their cargoes have been discharged and delivered
into the hands of the Haitian Government custom-house officials, the
alleged cause being that the Haitians to whom the goods are consigned
have not paid the duties. Our vessels are detained just the same when
they wish to go to a second port in the same island and under the same
Government to load. Our captains fail to receive any help from their
representative at Haiti. Is there any redress? Is there any rightful law
by which Amoriean vessels can be held for dues due the Haitian
Government by its own citizens? What can we do in the matter? By helping
us in this matter of doing away with what appears to us an abuse of
power you will confer a great favor on,
Yours, respectfully,
G. A. Brett, Son & Co.
