Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1886

[Inclosure.]

Mr. Reed to Mr. Manning.

Office of the United States Shipping Commissioner,
No. 187 Cherry Street,
New York City , April 9, 1886.

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d instant, inclosing a copy of a communication addressed to the Secretary of State by the Belgian minister, April 5, 1888, wherein he asks whether the laws of the United States authorize the prosecution of persons who are guilty of complicity in cases of desertion from Belgian vessels in the ports of the United States.

Sections 4079, 4080, 4081, and 5280 of the Revised Statutes prescribe the method of proceeding against deserters from foreign vessels in American ports, but I know of no law of the United States that distinctly authorizes the prosecution of the accomplices in such cases.

Sections 4598 and 4599, as well as 4601 and 4607, of the Revised Statutes, do not seem to authorize such prosecution, in view of the limitations established by section 4612.

Very respectfully, &c.,

JAMES C. REED,
United States Shipping Commissioner.