George Mason to Julius A. Skilton, October 2, 1877

Mr. Mason to Mr. Skilton.

Sir: In reply to your letter of yesterday, in which you request I should give you a sketch of the classes of general merchandise that the United States can exchange with profit to both republics, I have, in the annexed appendix, inclosed you a list, and can, with some experience through the United States, the West India Islands, and South America, assure you that there is a great field for such a trade.

There are a few matters to which I would like to draw your attention, viz:

The advisability of establishing a United States bank agency.

Admittance of samples free of duty, or the Mexican Government to allow a drawback.

The readjustment of the tariff on a system of ad valorem.

The heavy freight from the port of Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico.

The want of information of the tariff in the United States.

The necessity of having consular polices and the form of filling them up. These should be available with full information at the Mexican consul’s office in New York.

It is but a duty on my part, which I gratefully comply with, to express to you my acknowledgments for the great interest you have shown, and the many hours of your Very valuable time that you, sir, have devoted as the pioneer of the great country you represent, in aiding toward the development of a new outlet for the consumption of American manufactures and produce.

As a stranger in Mexico, to which I am accredited from one of the leading houses in New York, it is gratifying for me to say that I have been very successful. The object of the firm I represent is to open up a foreign export trade from the United States, and I find that Mexico will be a very available market in this respect, especially when mutual concessions are made between the two countries on a liberal scale, and to be established on a reciprocal basis.

It is with much pleasure that I thank you for the very valuable and useful information, in connection with the products and trade of the Mexican Republic, you have unhesitatingly always afforded me; also, for your cordial hospitality so happily spent at your consulate.

I have the honor to be, sir yours, very obediently,