§ 5. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether American-owned ships on ocean voyages proceeding Through the Panama Canal have a preference on the dues and charges as against British-owned vessels using the same canal; if so, can he state what is the amount of such preference against British-owned ships; and if it applies also to the shipping of all other countries?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the other parts therefore do not arise.
§ 6. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether what is called American coastwise trade is specially reserved by American law to American-owned vessels, and British ships are not allowed to carry any cargo between any American coast-ports; and whether American vessels engaged in the coast trade have a free passage through the Panama Canal or are only charged nominal dues?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe case is as stated in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.