No. 223.
Mr. Evarts
to Sir Edward Thornton.
Washington, June 13, 1879.
Sir: With reference to previous correspondence in regard to the system of wrecking pursued upon the Great Lakes, and to our conversation of January 22d last upon the subject, I desire to inquire what action has thus far been taken by the Canadian Government in the matter, and to present to your attention an additional case which occurred recently.
On the 19th of last month the American tug John Owen cleared for Tawas, Mich., with a raft in tow, containing over 2,000,000 feet of lumber, owned by a citizen of the State of New York, and valued at $20,000. Shortly after passing Pointe Pelée, Lake Erie, a severe storm was encountered, and the raft breaking loose drifted ashore on Point Pelée Islands, before recovery could be made. The tug Kate Williams, of Detroit, being present, desired to assist in saving the raft, but the Canadian officials refused to allow any American tug to haul the raft off the island, or take any part in doing so further than to simply assist tugs belonging to the Canadian Towing and Wrecking Company at Windsor, about seventy-live miles distant, and said that if they did so they would render themselves liable to seizure for violation of the Canadian wrecking law. The owners of the raft were consequently obliged to let it remain on the island, exposed to great peril, for over thirty hours before aid reached there.
The question at issue is one of great importance to the shipping interests of the United States, as you are well aware. There is a large amount of traffic on the lakes, and it is very desirable that the present unsatisfactory condition of the wrecking system in vogue upon them should give place to something better and more in accord with international comity, and the terms of treaties between the United States and Great Britain. It is therefore earnestly hoped and expected that the Dominion Government will shortly come to some definite and satisfactory conclusion upon the subject.
I have, &c.,