Benjamin Moran to João de Andrade Corvo, October 28, 1876

No. 235. Mr. Moran to Mr. Fish.

Sir: In December, 1874, the civil governor and other local authorities of Ponta Delgada, in the island of St. Michaels, in the Azores, demanded of and received from Mr. Ivens, the United States consular agent at that place, 16,200 reis in insular money for passports for nine destitute American seamen, which sum was disallowed in his accounts by the Treasury of the United States, on the just ground that charges for such passports could not be exacted from American citizens by foreign governments. I thought the case one deserving my attention, and having made sure of the facts in this instance of unjust exaction, and learned from Mr. Diman that no such charges have ever been made at this port, for the reason that the laws of Portugal provide such safe-conducts—passports or permits of embarkation can be furnished to destitute persons free of charge—I brought the case to Mr. Corvo’s attention. He has replied that orders for restitution of the money have been given, and I have expressed to him my satisfaction at this action.

As my note of the 15th June, to Mr. Corvo, contains the substance of Mr. Dabney’s reports to me of the case, I forward copies of that note and subsequent correspondence herewith, for the information of the Department.

I am, &c. &c.,