No. 233.
Mr. Seward
to Sir Edward Thornton.
Washington, August 16, 1879.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the reception of your note of the 12th instant, in which, referring to the note of this department dated the 30th ultimo, relative to the navigation of the Red River by American vessels within the Province of Manitoba, you state that you have transmitted a copy of it to the governor-general of Canada.
You also advert to the note which you addressed to this Department on the 3d of September, 1875, representing that the owners of Canadian steamers had complained of being entirely prohibited from navigating the Red River beyond the boundary line, and asking then that this matter might be taken into the consideration of this government, and you say that you never received any notice of any decision by this government on the subject, but that you are now glad to learn that Canadian vessels may navigate the United States portion of Red River on complying with the condition of having their cargo sealed or closed by a United States officer at Pembina.
In reply I have to say that now that this subject-has been recalled to the attention of this government by the circumstance mentioned in the note of this Department of the 30th ultimo, it is hoped that an understanding may be speedily arrived at for the removal of all causes for complaint which may exist upon the part of the Government of the United States or that of Canada.
I have, &c.,