United States Statutes at Large/Volume 1/3rd Congress/1st Session/Chapter 5
Chap. Ⅴ.—An Act for the remission of the duties arising on the tonnage of sundry French vessels which have taken refuge in the ports of the United States.
Whereas the disastrous situation of the town of Cape Francois, in the island of Hispaniola, compelled sundry vessels belonging to citizens of the French Republic, in the month of June last, to take refuge within the ports of the United States: and whereas they are liable by law to the payment of foreign tonnage, which, considering the necessity of their case, ought equitably to be remitted to them: Therefore,
Remission of tonnage duty to certain French vessels.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the duties on the tonnage, to which any of the vessels aforesaid are, or may have been liable, within any of the ports of the United States, be, and are hereby remitted: On what proof.Provided nevertheless, That the master, owner or consignee, of every such vessel shall make proof to the proper officer of the port in which such vessel may be, that the said vessel was compelled to leave the said island of Hispaniola, and to take refuge within the said port, by reason of the calamity aforesaid.
Approved, March 7, 1794.