File No. 836/63–64.

Chargé Lorillard to the Secretary of State .

No. 102.]

Sir: In continuation of my No. 96, of January 14 last, relative to the complaint of Messrs. Forster & Co., of Pernambuco, that American flour was not accorded the 20 per cent tariff reduction as authorized by Congress and my actions thereon resulting in the decree of January 10 last, I have now the honor to inclose herewith a copy and a translation of a note from the foreign office, dated the 28th instant, whereby it appears that, as my telegram of protest was brought to the knowledge of the ministry of finance, the various customs authorities were instructed by telegraph to continue the rebate of 20 per cent on certain American articles during the whole of the present year, and that the customs delegate at Pernambuco has been directed to return the additional duties collected on American flour during the period extending from January 1 to January 17 last.

I have so informed the consul at Pernambuco.

I have, etc.,

George Lorillard.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Chargé Lorillard .

Mr. Chargé d’affaires: Having brought to the knowledge of the ministry of finance the telegram which you sent me on the 8th instant relative to the refusal of the customs-house of Pernambuco to concede the reduction of 20 per cent in the dispatch of American flour, I have just been informed by it that, by a telegram of the 17th instant, the customs delegates were instructed to obey decree No. 6317, of the 13th instant, extending during the present year the favor conceded by No. 6079, of June 30, 1906, to various articles of an American source.

In addition, the same ministry has already authorized the customs delegate of Pernambuco to cause to be refunded the surplus duties collected, at the respective custom-house, during the time when the fulfillment of said decree 6079 ceased and that when the one of No. 6317 came into force.

I take advantage of the occasion, etc.,

Rio Branco.