Mr. Gresham to Mr.
Thompson.
Department of State,
Washington, September 28,
1894.
No. 176.]
Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegram of
June 6 last regarding the refunding by Brazil of duties collected on
flour previously to April 12, 1893, I inclose herewith in original a
letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, together with one from Mr. W.
B. Wilson, of Baltimore, having reference to the admission into the
United States of importations from Brazil. By the letter of the
Secretary of the Treasury you will see that no fees for permits or bonds
have been collected on the entry of goods from that country since the
date of the reciprocity agreement, such fees having, in fact, been
abolished by section 22 of the act of June 10, 1890, while the
proclamation of the President in regard to the modification of the
tariff law of Brazil was dated February 5, 1891.
You will use this statement of the Treasury in pressing earnestly for the
return of the charges made by the Brazilian Government, contrary to the
letter and spirit of the agreement, which has been faithfully observed
by the United States.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
176.]
Mr. Carlisle to
Mr. Gresham.
Treasury Department,
Washington, September 27,
1894. (Received September
28.)
Sir: Referring to the letter addressed to
Assistant Secretary Rockhill by Mr. W. B. Wilson, dated Baltimore,
Md., the 26th instant, in regard to importations from Brazil, I can
assure you that no fees for permits or bonds have been collected on
the entry of goods imported from that country since the date of the
reciprocity agreement, such fees having, in fact, been abolished by
section 22 of the act of June 10, 1890, while the proclamation of
the President in regard to the modification of the tariff law of
Brazil, was dated February 5, 1891.
The letter of Mr. Wilson is returned herewith.
Respectfully, yours,
[Page 76]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
176.]
Mr. Wilson to
Mr. Rockhill.
Baltimore, September 26,
1894. (Received September
28.)
My Dear Mr. Rockhill: In my interview with
Mr. Mendonca this morning he stated to me that about the 6th of
September he received a cable inquiry from his Government to know
whether the articles enumerated as “free” in the reciprocity treaty
had been admitted free of any duty or custom-house charges
whatsoever by this Government; to which he replied by cable on the
8th of September from Portsmouth, N. H., that not only had these
goods been admitted free of duty, but that the customary fee of 10
cents for permit and 40 cents for bond had also been abolished,
leaving such goods absolutely free of any charge whatever. This
cablegram, he assures me, reached Rio the same day, but up to this
time no action has been taken by the Brazilian Government, or we
would have been apprised of the fact by cable. I now inclose the
copy of letter addressed to Minister Thompson by our friends at Rio,
and will be glad if you will see that a certificate is sent
to-morrow from the State Department, in effect that all goods from
Brazil which were exempt from duty under the reciprocity treaty
have, since the ratification of the treaty, received entry
absolutely free from any charge whatever; that even the charges of
10 cents for permit and 40 cents for bonds have been abolished.
Be good enough to mark per S. S. Coleridge,
which is a very fast boat and sails from New York Saturday morning
early. It would also hurry matters very much if you would request
Mr. Thompson by cable to push the matter. Our experience with the
Brazilians has shown that the effect of cable is twofold that of a
mail communication, and I am sure with all the required evidence
before them they would have no further excuse for delay.
I will appreciate it very much if you will get the Secretary’s
permission to cable.
Yours, sincerely,
