Mr. Smythe to Mr. Gresham.

No. 72.]

Sir: * * * I have to inclose a copy of my note to the foreign secretary in regard to the methods of levying tonnage dues, and their evident discrimination against steam vessels. My note was almost identical with that sent the same day by the consul-general of Great Britain, and I believe the evil will be corrected.

I have, etc.,

Henry M. Smythe.
[Inclosure in No. 72.]

Mr. Smythe to Mr. Lespinasse.

Sir: It has been represented to this legation that under existing customs regulations of your Government, the levying (or the method of levying) tonnage dues works an injustice to steam vessels as distinguished from sailing vessels in this: That whereas steam vessels pay duties at the rate of — per ton on their actual cargo, the sailing vessel [Page 357] pays only on its registered tonnage, and frequently carries freight of twice this amount. This, as you can easily see, operates to the prejudice of steam vessels, which by the reason of their swiftness of passage and regular schedule of time are much better adapted to the requirements of modern commerce than the sailing vessel, and which in consequence of these manifest advantages frequently receive subsidies from governments to be benefited by the increase of interchange growing out of their superior advantages.

This subject having been brought to the attention of my Government, I am instructed, under date of March 16, to call the attention of your Government to this evident discrimination, and to endeavor to secure “from every point of view the same treatment for sailing vessels and steamships.” In the confident belief that your Government will be swift to correct this, injustice, and to place all interests on the same tooting of impartial justice,

I have, etc.,

Henry M. Smythe.