Mr. Fish to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Sir: I have the honor to inform your excellency, that I am in receipt of communications from the Government of the United States, upon the subject of a tax which the Tunisian Government proposes levying on foreign shipping, to provide in part for the payment of the expense in maintaining light-houses on the coast of the regency. The proceedings of a meeting of the consuls representing the governments interested, which was held in the British consulate in this city on the 8th of August last, together with a communication from the late consul, Mr. G. H. Heap, have been submitted to the proper government officers for their consideration and decision. The United States Government levies no tax on shipping for this purpose although its light-house service embraces about 1,200 lights. The policy of the United States Government is, that all light-house expenses should be paid by the general government of a country rather than by a special tax on shipping. But inasmuch as the United States acquiesces in the levying of such a tax by the Government of Great Britain, and as it recognizes the right of the Bey to levy such a tax, I am authorized to inform your excellency that the Government of the United States will not object to the levying of a [Page 1037] reasonable tax on her vessels for the purpose indicated, provided that the other governments interested consent to the same.

With assurances of great respect, I remain, yours, &c.,

GEO. W. FISH,
United States Consul.

To His Excellency General Sidi Mustafa ben-Semain,
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of His Highness the Bey.