No. 202.
Mr. Bayard to Mr. Hardinge.
Washington, July 16, 1886.
Sir: I have just received through the honorable C. A. Boutelle, M. C., the affidavit of Stephen R. Balkam, alleging his expulsion from the harbor of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, by Captain Kent, of the Dominion cruiser Middleton, and the refusal to permit him to purchase fish caught and sold by Canadians, for the purpose of canning as sardines.
The action of Captain Kent seems to be a gross violation of ordinary commercial privileges against an American citizen proposing to transact his customary and lawful trade and not prepared or intending in any way to fish or violate any local law of regulation or treaty stipulation.
I trust instant instructions to prevent the recurrence of such unfriendly and unlawful treatment of American citizens majr be given to the offending officials at St. Andrews, and reparation be made to Mr. Balkam.
I have, &c.,