Francis to Hamilton Fish, March 2, 1872

No. 191. Mr. Francis to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies and translations of correspondence between the Greek minister of foreign affairs and myself on the subject of the tariff-duty imposed by the United States Government upon dried currants, the chief article produced by Greece for exportation.

I have little to add to the facts elicited by this correspondence. It will be seen that, in 1869, with our tariff of 5 cents per pound upon dried currants, the exportation from Greece to the United States was only 2,438,000 pounds. Under the reduced duty of 2½ cents per pound, the exportation was increased in 1870 to 7,159,500 pounds, and in 1871 to 10,709,400 pounds.

It is believed that a further reduction of the duty to one cent and a half per pound will have the effect to increase importations, so that the revenue of the United States will be augmented rather than diminished, at the same time an encouragement will thus be afforded to commercial enterprise between Greece and the United States advantageous to both countries. Thus American petroleum, largely consumed here, and now brought from Germany, Constantinople, and Smyrna, may be imported direct from the United States at a lower price, so increasing the consumption. Agricultural implements, machinery, &c, may also be shipped directly from America to Greece by ships that take out Greek products for our markets.

I do not hesitate, after a careful consideration of this subject, to express it as my deliberate judgment that beneficial results to the United States as well as to Greece will be realized by a reduction of the tariff upon dried currants to one cent and a half per pound.

I am, &c.,