Mr. Chase to Mr.
Seward.
Treasury
Department,
October 20, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to return herewith
despatch No. 16 from the United States consul at Munich, in which
inquiry is made in regard to the exemption from duty in the
custom-houses of the United States of articles furnished to Bavarian
consuls in this country by their own government for official use.
I sent this despatch to the collector at New York for his report, which I
enclose for your information, from which it will be seen that the
difficulty experienced by our consul at Munich, in regard to the books,
&c., would be obviated if these national presents were addressed to
our minister there.
With great respect,
S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the
Treasury.
Hon. W. H. Seward, Secretary of State.
[Untitled]
Custom-House, New York, Collector’s Office,
October 15, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of 13th instant, enclosing a communication
from the honorable the Secretary of State, transmitting a despatch
from the United States consul at Munich, in regard to the exemption
from duty in the custom-houses of the United States of articles
furnished by foreign governments for the use of their resident
consuls.
In reply to the inquiry of your letter, I have to state that the
practice of this office is to charge duty on all dutiable articles
imported for the use of consuls, same as on any other importation of
articles for personal use of persons residing in the United States.
The only exceptions which international comity has made, are in
behalf of ambassadors.
The decision and doctrine of the department on this question will be
found on page 594 of general regulations of the treasury, of
February 1, 1857.
It may not be improper here to remark that, the privileges of foreign
ministers being reciprocal between all nations, the difficulty
experienced by our consul at Munich in regard to the books, &c.,
would be obviated if these national presents were addressed to our
minister there.
The documents enclosed in your letter are herewith returned.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury.
