appendix., May 31, 1872

appendix.

1.—Note from the minister of Sweden and Norway at Washington to Mr. Fish, May 31, 1872.

Mr. Secretary of State: In obedience to the orders of my government, and referring to the conversation which I had the honor to have with you yesterday on this subject, I take the liberty of requesting the co-operation of the American Government in a measure to be taken jointly near the Spanish government by the other maritime powers, for the purpose of causing the Spanish custom-house regulations of July 15, 1870, to be so modified that the formalities may be simplified, which foreign captains arriving in Spain are obliged to observe, the formalities being at present a source of incessant annoyance, useless expenditures, and heavy fines. In order to attain this object the government of the King proposes that (as was done on the 13th of December last, at the suggestion of the British government, in relation to the quarantine laws of Spain) the representatives of the different maritime powers at Madrid be authorized to address to the Spanish government, after having come to an understanding with each other in the matter, simultaneous notes, requesting a revision of the customs regulations of 1870.

The King’s minister of Spain having already received the necessary instructions on this subject, and the suggestion of my government having been favorably received by the representatives of the other maritime powers at Madrid, I flatter myself that the American Government also will be pleased to join its efforts to ours in order to attain the desired end, and that it will give suitable instructions to its representative in Spain.

In the expectation of a favorable reply, I avail myself of this occasion to renew to you, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurances of my highest consideration.