No. 449.
Mr. Lowell to Mr. Evarts.

No. 195.]

Sir: With reference to your instruction No. 146, relative to the extraordinary taxes imposed on certain American citizens in the island of Cuba, I have now the honor to inclose herewith a copy of my note to the minister of state upon the subject, and of a copy and translation of his note in reply, from which you will perceive that the matter has been referred to the governor-general of that island with a view to a definite decision in regard thereto.

I have, &c.,

J. R. LOWELL.
[Inclosure No. 1 in No. 195.]

Mr. Lowell to the Duke of Tetuan.

Excellency: In a conversation which I had the honor to hold with the predecessor of your excellency in the ministry you so worthily fill, I represented to him in strong terms the hardships to which American citizens domiciled in the island of Cuba, conceived themselves to be exposed by the exaction from them of extraordinary imposts, higher than those paid by subjects of the German Empire.

The importance of the commercial intercourse between Cuba and the United States is so great, that they find it hard to understand why special difficulties should apparently be thrown in its way by subjecting them to what; when compared with some others, seems rather to be a special disability than their proper share in a general burden.

I represented to Mr. Silvela, though not for a moment admitting the justice of such an inference, how easily such a distinction might be taken advantage of by designing and interested persons, to misrepresent the friendly disposition and attitude of Spain toward the United States, and thus to give an unfavorable bias to public opinion in the latter country.

Mr. Silvela seemed to be impressed by the importance of these considerations, and suggested that I should furnish the government of His Catholic Majesty with a list of Americans domiciled in Cuba, on whom these exactions bore with peculiar hardships, giving me to understand that he would use his influence to have the excess of imposts in such cases remitted.

Having received a partial list of the American citizens domiciled in Cuba who feel themselves thus aggrieved, I have the honor to inclose a copy thereof for your excellency’s consideration.

[Page 955]

The collection of the amount claimed was suspended on the representation of our consul-general in Havana in order to allow of remonstrance on the part of the United States, and accordingly the question is not of returning money already paid, but simply of allowing it to remain uncollected.

I feel sure that if the government of His Catholic Majesty could bring itself to see the propriety of making this concession (if concession there be, which I do not feel authorized to admit), it would be accepted by the government I have the honor to represent as a fresh proof of friendly feeling, and of a desire to draw closer amicable relations so important to both countries.

I gladly avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

J. R. LOWELL.
[Inclosure No. 2 in No. 195—Translation.]

The Duke of Tetuan to Mr. Lowell.

Excellency: With reference to the latest note of the legation under your worthy charge, relative to the claims of certain North American citizens on account of the contribution exacted from them in the island of Cuba, I have the honor, to make known to your excellency that the minister of ultramar has communicated the contents of said note to the governor-general of the island of Cuba, in order that the direction of the treasury may be put in possession of the data relative to this affair, and in view of it, to report so soon as may be what it may judge proper, or may decide them if it should be possible, in strict accordance with existing laws.

I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to your excellency the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.

The Duke of TETUAN.