No. 72.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Bell.

No. 82.]

Sir: Tour dispatch No. 214, of the 21st ultimo, in which you give an account of your recent interview with the Netherlands minister of foreign affairs respecting the subject of the reciprocal abolition of tonnage dues, has been received and read with interest.

Referring to my instruction No. 81, of the 5th ultimo, I now transmit to you herewith, as further illustrating the views of this Government on the subject, a copy of House bill No. 10703, and also of the Department letter of the 14th ultimo to the chairman of the Shipping Committee of the House of Representatives.

Adding that your dispatches, numbered from 199 to 214, have been received,

I am, etc.,

T. F. Bayard.