Mr. Seward to Mr.
Geofroy
Department of State,
Washington,
April 28, 1864.
Sir: Recurring to your note of the 30th ultimo,
relative to the proposed increase of duties on imports, I have the honor
to enclose a copy of the reply of the 23d instant, received from the
Secretary of the Treasury, to my letter communicating a translation of
your note to him. I shall, without delay, bring the subject under the
consideration of the Committee of Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives in the manner suggested by Mr. Chase.
Accept, sir, a renewed assurance of my high consideration.
Mr. L. de Geofroy,
&c., &c., &c.
Mr. Chase to Mr. Seward
Treasury
Department,
April 23, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to return herewith
the despatch of M. de Geofroy, chargé d’affaires of France,
respecting the proposed increase of duties on articles of French
production, caused by your letter of the 6th instant, inviting my
attention to the statements of M. de Geofroy, of the operation of
the present tariff upon the commerce of France and the United
States.
It is a matter of regret that our civil war should affect unfavorably
the commercial interests of France, and it is my wish that whatever
tariff of duties may be created by Congress under the pressure of
our great expenditures, the duties on French products may be in
perfect equality with the duties levied on the products of other
nations.
I would respectfully suggest that this despatch of M. de Geofroy be
communicated to the Committee of Ways and Means, for their
consideration.
With great respect,
S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the
Treasury.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State,
