No. 598.
Mr. Herbert to Mr. Bayard.
Sir: With reference to the previous correspondence which has taken place between this legation and the Department of State relative to the establishment of a reciprocal arrangement between Her Majesty’s [Page 827] Government and that of the United States for rendering aid to vessels wrecked in the waters lying between Canada and the United States, I am instructed by the Marquis of Salisbury to call your attention to an offer on the part of the Canadian Government, contained in a minute of council passed on the 6th of June, 1879, to make reciprocal arrangements in regard to the coasting trade of the inland waters only of the two countries to include wrecking and towing privileges.
This offer is a standing one, and Her Majesty’s Government are of opinion that it would be to the advantage of the two countries if some arrangement of the kind could be made, as it is important in connection with the questions relating to wrecking that are continually arising.
I have, etc.,