Purrington to João Maurício Wanderley, Baron of Cotegipe, September 21, 1875

Mr. Purrington to His Excellency Baron de Cotegipe.

The undersigned, secretary of legation and chargé d’affaires ad interim, having received from Rear-Admiral Le Roy, commanding the United States naval force on the South Atlantic station, a letter stating that certain cigars, purchased and intended for the use of officers of his squadron and forming part of their stores, had been held for duty at the custom-house, and asking that the legation would inform him if the favor hitherto extended to ships of war in this respect was to be discontinued, has the honor to ask that his excellency the minister and secretary of state for foreign affairs will have the kindness to inform him whether any repeal or new construction of the custom-house regulations has been made of such a nature that the favor hitherto extended to the officers and crew of war-vessels of friendly nations, of importing mess-stores free of duty, exists no longer, and whether, in the future, wines, cigars, and other such stores for naval officers are to pay duty.

If no such repeal or construction of the regulations has been made, the undersigned begs that the inspector of customs may be so informed.

And the undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to renew to his excellency the minister and secretary of state for foreign affairs the assurances of his highest consideration and esteem.