William H. Seward to Edward F. McCook, February 5, 1867

Mr. Seward to Mr. McCook

Sir: I received Mr. Rouse’s despatch No. 14, of the 14th of last December, containing a copy of a note which had been addressed to him by the minister for foreign affairs, on the 10th of that month, informing him that no discriminating duties of tonnage or impost are imposed or levied in the ports of Hawaii upon the produce, manufactures, or merchandise imported in vessels of the United States, and asking that a similar exemption be exercised in favor of Hawaiian vessels in this country, in conformity with the act of Congress approved May 24, 1828.

Accordingly the President, on the 29th ultimo, issued a proclamation suspending from the 10th of December the levying discriminating duties on vessels of Hawaii or the goods imported therein. A copy of that proclamation you will find enclosed. The minister for foreign affairs states, however, that the notice which he gives in his note to Mr. Rouse had already been given on various previous occasions by the chargé d’affaires of Hawaii to this country, and especially on the 19th of January, 1865, and that no reply had ever been received from this government to his communication on that subject. Our records do not show that any such communication to that effect has ever reached the department from the representative of Hawaii to this country.

You will transmit a copy of this despatch and of the proclamation to the minister of foreign affairs.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,