HARRINGTON, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to William H. Seward, June 6, 1864

Mr. Harrington to Mr. Seward

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, in which you submit for my consideration the proposition of the imperial government of Russia, as contained in a note from Mr. de Stoeckl, of 4th instant, concerning Russian vessels driven by stress into the ports of the United States.

The 60th section of the act of March 2, 1799, makes ample provision for all cases of vessels driven by stress into the ports of the United States, to which you are respectfully referred.

It has been decided by this department that every such foreign vessel is not liable to tonnage dues, nor is the cargo liable to discriminating duties, but she is regarded as on her way to her port of destination.

With great respect,