[Inclosure No. 1 in No.
195.]
Mr. Lowell to
the Duke of Tetuan.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, May 28, 1879.
Excellency: In a conversation which I had
the honor to hold with the predecessor of your excellency in the
ministry you so worthily fill, I represented to him in strong terms
the hardships to which American citizens domiciled in the island of
Cuba, conceived themselves to be exposed by the exaction from them
of extraordinary imposts, higher than those paid by subjects of the
German Empire.
The importance of the commercial intercourse between Cuba and the
United States is so great, that they find it hard to understand why
special difficulties should apparently be thrown in its way by
subjecting them to what; when compared with some others, seems
rather to be a special disability than their proper share in a
general burden.
I represented to Mr. Silvela, though not for a moment admitting the
justice of such an inference, how easily such a distinction might be
taken advantage of by designing and interested persons, to
misrepresent the friendly disposition and attitude of Spain toward
the United States, and thus to give an unfavorable bias to public
opinion in the latter country.
Mr. Silvela seemed to be impressed by the importance of these
considerations, and suggested that I should furnish the government
of His Catholic Majesty with a list of Americans domiciled in Cuba,
on whom these exactions bore with peculiar hardships, giving me to
understand that he would use his influence to have the excess of
imposts in such cases remitted.
Having received a partial list of the American citizens domiciled in
Cuba who feel themselves thus aggrieved, I have the honor to inclose
a copy thereof for your excellency’s consideration.
[Page 955]
The collection of the amount claimed was suspended on the
representation of our consul-general in Havana in order to allow of
remonstrance on the part of the United States, and accordingly the
question is not of returning money already paid, but simply of
allowing it to remain uncollected.
I feel sure that if the government of His Catholic Majesty could
bring itself to see the propriety of making this concession (if
concession there be, which I do not feel authorized to admit), it
would be accepted by the government I have the honor to represent as
a fresh proof of friendly feeling, and of a desire to draw closer
amicable relations so important to both countries.
I gladly avail myself of this occasion to renew to your excellency
the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
[Inclosure No. 2 in No.
195—Translation.]
The Duke of Tetuan to
Mr. Lowell.
Ministry of State,
June 26, 1879.
Excellency: With reference to the latest
note of the legation under your worthy charge, relative to the
claims of certain North American citizens on account of the
contribution exacted from them in the island of Cuba, I have the
honor, to make known to your excellency that the minister of
ultramar has communicated the contents of said note to the
governor-general of the island of Cuba, in order that the direction
of the treasury may be put in possession of the data relative to
this affair, and in view of it, to report so soon as may be what it
may judge proper, or may decide them if it should be possible, in
strict accordance with existing laws.
I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to your excellency
the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.
The Duke of TETUAN.
