Count Lichtervelde to Mr. Sherman.
Washington, April 5, 1897.
Mr. Secretary of State: The minister of foreign affairs informs me that he has communicated to Mr. Ewing the information on the matter of taxes collected on vessels in the Belgian ports, which was the subject of his excellency Mr. Olney’s letter to Mr. LeGhait dated November 27, 1896.
In taking the liberty of calling the special attention of your excellency to the fact that for the application of the various dues and taxes in question no distinction is made between Belgian and American vessels, I have the honor to renew the request that the favorable treatment in regard to tonnage dues which is extended in the ports of the United States to vessels proceeding from ports of certain countries may be accorded to vessels arriving from Belgian ports.
I avail myself, etc.,