File No. 763.72112/2410
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury (McAdoo)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Department’s reference, on the 4th instant, of letters addressed to you by the collector of customs at Boston, Massachusetts, and from the collector of customs at Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia,1 reporting the receipt from the British consular officers of a notice to the effect that His Majesty’s Government intends to change in certain respects the method of procedure adopted by British men-of-war for exercising the right of visit and search at sea.1 You ask to be advised as to the views of this Department in the matter.
I have the honor to say in reply that this Department has received the substance of the notices mentioned by the collectors at Boston and Norfolk, but has deemed it wise not to agree to or acquiesce in any departure from or change in the established rules or customs in regard to the procedure to be followed by belligerent men-of-war in exercising the right of visit and search at sea.
I have [etc.]