CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury to William H. Seward, April 23, 1864

Mr. Chase to Mr. Seward

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,