Bulgaris to Francis, June 21, 1872

Mr. Bulgaria to Mr. Francis.

Mr. Minister: The consul of the King at New York, charged also with the management temporarily of His Majesty’s legation in the United States, announces to me, as you know, that Congress has voted a new tariff, according to which the customs duty on Corinth grapes (dried currants) is reduced from two and a half to one cent per English pound.

This news has caused most lively satisfaction to my colleagues and myself, and without doubt will be welcomed by all our citizens with the same sentiments. It is because the Corinth grape is one of the principal products that Greece exports, and because the reduction just voted promises to increase considerably its exportation to the United States.

I am desirous, though it is only two days since I had the pleasure of seeing you at your home, to present the sincere thanks of the King’s government to the Government and Congress of the United States for a decision which, in favoring the interests of our cultivators, will contribute powerfully to the development of direct commerce between the two countries, which are united by the warmest and most sincere friendship.

You have learned, Mr. Minister, with no less satisfaction of this reduction, because, solicited by the government of the King, you were kind enough to recommend it to your Government. Thus your recommendation, without doubt, came to the aid of Mr. Botassi’s efforts at Washington, and therefore it was that I begged you the other day to accept personally my thanks. Permit me, Mr. Minister, to repeat here, in writing, these thanks, as well as the expression of my sentiments of high consideration.