Mr. Foster to Baron Fava.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 6th instant, in which you inform me that the statue of Columbus, presented to the city of New York, will arrive at that port towards the end of the present month, on the Italian royal naval transport Garigliano, and ask that free entry may be granted.

In reply I have the honor to state that the collector at New York has received instructions to admit the statue to free entry, and to extend all due courtesies to the Garigliano, her officers and crew.

The Government of the United States highly appreciates the courteous action of the Italian Government in conveying this work of art to our shores on a vessel of the royal navy.

Accept, etc.,

John W. Foster.