Francis to Zaïmis, December 26, 1872

Mr. Francis to Mr. Zaïmis.

Mr. Minister: I have the honor to acknowledge your dispatch of the date of December 10–22nd instant.

You refer to the tariff now imposed upon dried currants by the United States Government, and argue that a still further reduction of the duty imposed upon that article will have the effect to augment the commerce between the United States and Greece, and redound to the mutual advantage of both countries. I shall make haste to transmit a copy of your communication to my Government, from which it will, no doubt, receive the consideration its importance demands.

But, in order to enable me to present the matter as fully as I desire, I should be glad to have furnished me certain official information here, namely:

• The aggregate in pounds of the shipments of Zante currants to the United States from Greek ports the year previous to the reduction of the duty in 1870 from 5 cents to 2½ cents per pound.
• The aggregate of the shipments of Zante currants to the United States from Greek ports during the past year, or up to the latest official returns.
• The average price of Zante currants at the ports of their shipments in Greece.
• The duties imposed by the Greek government upon American petroleum, upon labor-saving agricultural implements, machinery, fire-arms, cotton manufactures, butter, cheese, and bacon.

I make the inquiry in respect to the custom-duties imposed by the Greek government upon the articles named, with a view of learning the possible opportunity for return exportations from the United States, in consideration of increased importations of currants from Greece.

Accept, Mr. Minister, assurances of my high consideration.