Department
of State,
Washington, March 1,
1892.
No. 135.]
As by the terms of our reciprocity arrangement with Brazil no new nor
increased export tax can be levied in that Republic on any article admitted
free into the United States, you are instructed to bring the matter to the
attention of the minister of foreign affairs in order that the Government
may provide for the observance of the stipulations of the arrangement.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 135.]
Mr. Thomas to Mr.
Wharton.
Consulate of the United States,
Bahia, January 23,
1892. (Received February 26, 1892.)
No. 13.]
Sir: I have to state that on the 11th of the
present month the legislature of the state of Bahia enacted a law, made
operative by the signature of the governor, imposing a duty of 19 per
cent upon skins exported to the United States. This plainly seems to be
in violation of the commercial arrangement entered into between the
United States of Brazil and the United States of America, concluded
January 31, 1891, and promulgated February 5, 1891.
By this treaty, skins, with the exception of sheep skins with the wool
on, were exempted from duty and classed on the free list.
Nearly all of the skins produced in Brazil are exported to the United
States. Bahia is the only State in Brazil, so far as I know, that has
imposed this duty, and this manifestly unjust tax operates oppressively
upon the American merchants who are engaged in the buying and
exportation of skins. The first shipment of skins, after the new law
went into effect, was on the 22d instant. The merchants interested paid
the duty under protest, noted in this consulate. A protest has also been
filed with Consul-General O. H. Dockery, with the request to bring the
matter before the General Government.
Any advices the State Department may transmit to me bearing upon this
subject will be duly appreciated.
I am, etc.,
Wm. O. Thomas,
U. S. Consul.
