No. 246.
Mr. Steele to Mr. Bayard.

Sir: I inclose the master of the schooner Alice M. Jordan’s affidavit for your consideration.

Yours, truly, &c.,

GEO. STEELE,
President American Fishery Union.
[Inclosure 1.]

United States of America.
District of Massachusetts:

I, Alexander Hains, of Gloucester, State of Massachusetts, on my oath do say that I was master of the schooner Annie M. Jordan, enrolled and licensed at Gloucester, Mass, when she sailed on a fishing voyage for cod and halibut on the 26th day of April, A. D. 1886, and further say that before I sailed I applied at the customhouse for and received a permit to touch and trade at foreign ports during my said voyage.

I further say that on the 4th day of May, 1886, I arrived and anchored at St. Andrews, New Brunswick, in the Dominion of Canada, and went ashore to the custom-house [Page 501] at that port, where I reported my arrival; applied to the collector, or person representing the collector, to enter my vessel for purposes of purchasing and exporting certain merchandise therein.

Said person refused to receive my papers and admit me to an entry, saying my papers were of no account. I asked why, and stated I had a permit to touch and trade from the United States authorities at Gloucester.

It was replied to me by said custom-house officer that it made no difference; my vessel had no business in these waters, and that she would be seized by the Canadian authorities if she was here when the cutter came into port. Being thus refused an entry, I returned to my vessel and left the port.

I arrived in Gloucester, Mass., May 28, 1886. I further say that damage to my voyage and loss has accrued to the owners of said vessel, Rowe & Jordan, of Gloucester, from the refusal to admit her to an entry, and I further say that I anchored in said port and reported in good faith for purpose of trade, under the belief that the laws of Great Britain gave to vessels of the United States all the privilege of trade and export from British North America which British vessels enjoyed.

ALEXANDER HAINS,
Master of Schooner Annie M. Jordan.

Massachusetts, Essex, ss:

Personally appeared Alexander Hains, and made oath to the truth of the above statement.

Before me.

[seal.]
AARON PARSONS,
Notary Public.
[Inclosure 2.]

Permit or license to touch aud trade.

Permission is hereby granted to A. Hains, master of the schooner named the Annie M. Jordan, of Gloucester, burden 9120/100 tons, which schooner was licensed for carrying on the fishery by D. S. Presson, collector of the district of Gloucester, in the State of Massachusetts, on the 4th day of January, 1886, to touch and trade at any foreign port or place during her voyage presently to be made.

Given under my hand and seal the day and year above mentioned.

D. S. PRESSON,
Collector, Naval Officer.

Surrendered June 1, 1886.