TUKEY, Master of American Ship Normandy to Hoppin, December 2, 1879

Mr. Tukey to Mr. Hoppin.

Honorable Sir: I desire to bring under your notice the fact that American ships are at a great disadvantage in the London freight market, by being excluded from the conveyance of British government stores.

I cannot find that any law exists with reference to this, beyond the fact that it has been customary to ship by British vessels only, owing, I presume to difficulties which might arise in the event of any reclamations becoming chargeable, and proceedings having to be taken in a foreign instead of an English court. This, however, could be effectually met by a banker or broker, located here, becoming guarantee on behalf of the ship and owners in America for any such claims.

I am induced to bring this matter under your notice, as I have been compelled to take about £300 less freight under my present charter for Bombay than was offering for a cargo for same destination of which government stores formed a portion, whereas I find the custom of only shipping by British vessels was recently departed from by the conveyance of India in council stores under the Italian flag by a vessel called the Manilla. Under these circumstances, I venture to hope it will only require your representation to the British Government of the above facts to have the United States flag placed upon the same footing.

I remain, &c.,