Mr. Pitkin to Mr. Blaine .

No. 129.]

Sir: Touching an instruction (No. 96), under date of February 13, 1891, to investigate a complaint preferred by the marine underwriters of New York to the effect that heavy charges have been imposed upon vessels putting into this port in distress, and to seek a remedy under warrant of the facts, I have the honor to report that, promptly upon receipt of said instructions and after an oral conference at the foreign [Page 11] office, I thought proper to initiate an inquiry at the ministry of finance, whence an instruction went the same hour to said prefect and to the custom-house for a report. To-day I have been advised at the ministry that the reports have been made and deny the imposition of the alleged charges; that if they be shown in any case to have been exacted, the sum will be reimbursed; and that an executive decree inhibiting such a levy upon vessels seeking Argentine ports in distress is about to be issued. I hasten to anticipate by outward-bound steamer the promulgation of the decree, by reason of the delay to which the inquiry has been subjected, and will transmit it in copy as early as possible.

I have, etc.,

John R. G. Pitkin.