Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress, December 3, 1894
Mr. Gray to Mr. Gresham.
Mexico, May 1, 1894. (Received May 10.)
Sir: In sequence to my No. 275, of the 16th ultimo, I beg to inclose copies of additional correspondence in regard to the discriminating duties levied by the Mexican Government on American vessels.
I am, etc.,
Mr. de Cima to Mr. Gray.
Mazatlan, April 7, 1894.
Dear Sir: Yours of the 28th ultimo at hand, and beg to state that the information sought has been answered the 30th ultimo.
[Page 408]No discrimination has been going on at Mazatlan, in any manner, against American vessels, as they are the only vessels that carry on any traffic between Mexico and the United States, as explained in my previous letter.
I am, etc.
Acting U. S. Consul.
Mr. de Cima to Mr. Gray.
Mazatlan, Mexico, April 21, 1894.
Sir: Your favor of April 9 is at hand, and beg to state that after close investigation I have ascertained that all vessels, American and foreign, pay the same port charges, which are as follows:
| Light-house dues | $50.00 |
| Tonnage dues, $1.50 per ton; pilot, $1.75 per foot; pilot’s boat, from $3 to $8 | 3.00 |
| Stamps on permit to discharge | 8.00 |
| Stamps, solvency | .50 |
| Stamps on certificate of tonnage dues | .50 |
| Stamps on certificate of captain of port | .50 |
| Bill of health | 4.75 |
| Crew list | 3.50 |
The only difference between foreign and our vessels is that their register is accepted as it is, whereas our vessels are remeasured and compelled to pay about 50 per cent more than the register calls for.
I am, etc.,
U. S. Consul.
Mr. Gilkey to Mr. Gray.
Merida, April 25, 1894.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your two communications dated the 3d and 11th instant, respectively. Herewith inclosed you will find letters from Consular Agent John Waddle, of Progreso, and the house of E. Escalante & Son, which will show you the result of my inquiries in regard to the information you ask for, and which I transmit as a reply to your favor of the 3d instant.
I am, etc.,
Vice and Deputy U. S. Consul.
Mr. Waddle to Mr. Gilkey.
Progreso, April 23, 1894.
Sir: Re the subject of your communication, hearing date 20th instant, I refer you to articles No. 17 to 21 of Mexican Custom-House Regulations. There I find steamers pay $200 and sailing vessels $50 light-house dues; the former, no tonnage dues; latter, [Page 409] $1.50 on the net register. If a steamer comes in ballast and loads outward, pays half light-house dues. If a steamer coming from another Mexican port where she has paid light-house dues it serves for any other port touched in the voyage. Although the date of these regulations is 1891, I find the schooners Palos and Edwards, which discharged at this port fourteen days since, were charged light-house and tonnage; both these vessels brought lumber from the United States of America and are American vessels.
To steamers carrying mails by permission of Mexican Government these charges do not apply.
I am, etc.,
U. S. Consular Agent.
Escalante é Hijo to Mr. Gilkey.
Dear Sir: Replying to your esteemed lines of the 23d instant, we beg to answer the various questions in the following order:
- 1.
- American vessels are not charged with tonnage dues at Progreso.
- 2.
- The light-house duties are charged as follows: $200 to steam vessels bringing cargo; $100 to the same when they arrive in ballast and load here. When they arrive and leave in ballast, no duty is charged.
- 3.
- There are no other charges besides the above mentioned.
- 4.
- There are no charges levied on the cargo carried by American steam vessels save the fine of from $1 to $50 for each package discharged without being manifested, or for package manifested and not discharged. The import duties on goods are charged according to tariff.
- 5.
- The tonnage dues collected by the Mexican Government for sailing vessels is $1.50 per ton. When the cargo is coal no tonnage is charged. If the cargo is both coal and general merchandise, the tonnage is not charged on the coal, but only on the merchandise at the same rate.
- 6.
- The light-house dues charged on American sailing vessels is $50 if they bring cargo, and half that amount if they arrive in ballast and load here. If they arrive and sail in ballast no dues are charged.
- 7.
- There are no other charges.
- 8.
- No charges are levied on cargoes carried by American sailing vessels save fines and duties, as explained in answer No. 4 above.
The steam vessels of a regular line are generally exempted from light-house dues according to their special mail contract with our Federal Government.
Hoping the above information will be useful to you, we remain, etc.,