Gold and silver in bars, dust, or coin

46. Samples of merchandise the duties on which do not exceed Sh. I. It is understood that the packages or coverings in which the articles

named in the foregoing schedule are imported shall be free of duty if they are usual and proper for the purpose.

And that the Government of Honduras has further stipulated that Nouv, Recueil Oén. 2*. S. XX, Rr

Etats-Unis d'Amérique, Honduras.

the laws and régulations, adopted to protect its revenue and prevent fraud in the déclarations and proof that the articles named in the foregoing schedule are the product or manufacture of the United States of America, shall impose no additional charges on the importer nor undue restrictions on the articles imported.

And whereas the Secretary of State has, by my direction, given assurance to the Consul General of Honduras at New York that this action of the Government of Honduras in granting freedom of duties to the produits and manufactures of the United States of America on their importation into Honduras , and in stipulating for a more complète reciprocity arrangement, is accepted as a due reciprocity for the action of Congress as set forth in section 3 of said Act:

Now, thorefore, be it known that I, Benjamin Harrison, Président of the United States of America, have caused the above stated modifications of the tariff laws of Honduras to be made public for the information of the citizens of the United States of America.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this 30th day of April, one thousand eight hundred and ninetytwo, and of the Independence of the United States of America the ohne hundred and sixteenth. [Seal.]

Benj. Harrison.

By the Président:

James G, Blaine

Secretary of State.

Previous C o rr e s p o n d en c e.

Mr. Blaine to Mr Kimberly.

No. 11.] Department of State,

Washington, January 5, 1891.

Sir: I désire to bring to your attention the fact that the Congress of the United States at its last session enacted a law of which three copies are enclosed herewith, in which provision was made for the admission into the United States , free of duty , of the following articles : Ail sugars not above No. 16 Dutch standard in color, molasses, coffee, tea, hides, and skins.

In section 3 of this law it is declared that thèse remissions of duty were made »with a view to secure reciprocal trade with countries producing« those articles ; and it is provided that whenever the Président shall be satisfied that reciprocal favors are not granted to the products of the United States in the countries referred to, »he shall have the power and it shall be his duty« to impose upon the articles above enumerated, the products of the countries concerned , the rates of duty set forth in section 3.

The Government of the United States being earnestly desirous of

Commerce.

maintaining with Honduras such trade relations as shall be reciprocally equal and mutually advantageous, I am directed by the Président to request you to bring the above-rnentioned provisions of this act of Congress to the attention of the minister for foreign affairs of that Republic, and to express the hope that such steps may be taken by that Government as shall resuit in the establishment of commercial relations between the United States and Honduras on a permanent basis of reciprocity, profitable alike to both.

Since the Republic of Honduras is not at the présent time represented at this capital , it will be well for you to suggest to the minister for foreign affairs thereof, when addressing him upon the subject that his Government specially accredit somme person tô consider with me this important question.

I am etc.,

James G. Maine.

Mr. Baiz to Mr. Blaine.

Consulate-General of Honduras,

New York, April 13, 1892.

Hon. James G. Blaine,

Secretary of State.

Sir : I have the honor to address you for the purpose of stating , in reply to the invitation which, by your direction, the Minister of the United States accredited to Honduras addressed to the minister of foreign affairs of my Government, dated January 22, 1891, that the Government of Honduras, in reciprocity for admission into the United States, free of any national, municipal, or any other duty, of the products of Honduras enumerated in section 3 of the tariff law passed by the Congress of the United States, approved October 1, 1890, offers to admit into Honduras free of customs, municipal, or any other duties, on and after May 25, 1892, the articles contained in the schedule attached hereto , provided they are the product or manufactury of the United States.

It is proper for me to inform you that admission into the ports of Honduras without payment of any duty whatever, of the aforesaid products and manufactures, will be provisionally granted pending the conclusion by my Government with yours of a more comprehensive commercial arrangement that shall be mutually advantageous to both countries , to which end my Government will receive the necessary powers from the Congress of the Republic at its next session.

My Government, however, reserves full liberty to adopt the laws and régulations necessary to protect its customs revenues against fraud and contraband , under the claim of introducing , as American , articles and merchandise proceeding from other countries ; but it will not impose any additional charge upon the importers nor undue restrictions on articles inroduced.

* Rr*

États-Unis d'Amérique, Honduras.

If the autority which my Government shall ask from Congress is granted, new negotiations shall be opened without delay; and in case a définitive arrangement is reached, it shall be put in force in the Republic of Honduras within sixty days after its completion and shall supersede the provisional arrangements which I now propose.

It is understood that, should the Congres of Honduras take no action on the subject before its adjournment, the Government of the United States may terminate the provisional arrangements now under considération by giving the Government of Honduras thirty days1 notice in advance; and, if no definite arrangement shall have been made before January 1, 1893, the Government of the United States may likewise déclare the said provisional arrangement terminated.

I hope that His Excellency the Président of the United States will recognize in the proposition which I now make you , a proof that my Government earnestly desires to enlarge the commercial relations between the two peoples , and that it has accepted the law of Congress of the United States as an expression of friendly and just reciprocity.

In submitting the foregoing it is pleasant for me to renew to you the assurances of my respect and considération , and remain your obedient servant,

Jacob Baiz.

Consul-General.

By authority received this day by cable.

[Enclosure in Mr. Baiz's letter.]

Schedule of Products and Manufactures from the United States which the Republic of Honduras will admit free of ail customs, municipal, and any other kind of dut y.