No. 53.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. von Alvensleben.

Sir: With reference to previous correspondence on the subject, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 24th instant, in which you inform this Department that your Government does not levy upon American shipping any tonnage or lighthouse dues, or any equivalent tax or taxes whatever as referred to in the act of Congress of June 19, 1886, and in which you ask that a proclamation may be issued by the President suspending the collection of tonnage duties upon vessels from the ports of Germany similar to that which was issued in the case of vessels coming from the Netherlands on the 22d of April last.

I take pleasure in informing you, in reply, that in view of the statement contained in your note to the effect that vessels of the United States are exempt from tonnage dues and other charges in German ports, the President will at once issue a proclamation suspending the operation of the act of June 19, 1886, as to vessels coming from the ports of your country, in the matter of tonnage dues.

Adding that the Department reserves for consideration your request to have the tonnage duties levied upon German ships, in American ports, since June 19, 1886, refunded, I beg you to accept, etc.

T. F. Bayard.