[Inclosure.]
Lord Dufferin to
Sir Edward Thornton.
Government House,
Ottawa, March 2,
1878.
No. 14.]
Sir: With reference to your dispatch, No. 11,
of the 21st ultimo, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a
minute of the privy council of Canada, expressing the assent of my
government to the understanding that the provisional arrangement in
regard to the Alaska boundary shall not be held to affect the treaty
rights of either party.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure to inclosure.]
Copy of a report of a committee of the honorable the
privy council, approved by his excellency the governor-general in
council, on the 28 th February,
1878.
The committee of council have had under consideration the dispatch of
21st February, 1878, of the British minister at Washington to your
excellency, having reference to the Alaska boundary.
Sir Edward Thornton reports in this dispatch that, having submitted the
proposition of the Canadian Government to Mr. Evarts, namely, that both
governments should accept, pro tempore, the line
reported by Mr. Hunter, civil engineer, or both banks of the Stickine
River, Mr. Evarts, in a letter dated February 20, says that the United
States Government “has no objection to the temporary arrangements thus
indicated, provided it be distinctly understood on the part of both
governments that it is not to be construed as affecting in any manner
the rights under the treaty, to be determined whenever a joint survey
shall be made, whether by a formal commission or by officers detailed
for the purpose of establishing a point, as recently suggested.”
The honorable the minister of public works, to whom said dispatch has
been referred, recommends that Sir Edward Thornton be informed that the
Canadian Government concur in the proposition as agreed to by Mr.
Evarts, and that he be requested to communicate the same to the
Government of the United States.
The committee submit the foregoing recommendation for your excellency’s
approval.
Certified.
W. A. HIMSWORTH,
Clerk Privy Council,
Canada.
