You will observe from the letter from the president of the Canadian
Pacific Railway Company which accompanies the minute of council that he
absolutely denies the allegations preferred in your note and promises to
furnish documentary evidence to refute them.
As regards the observations contained in your above-mentioned note upon
the indifference and want of friendliness displayed in the matter by the
Canadian government, I am desired by the Govern or-General of Canada to
inform you that while disposed to the utmost friendliness towards the
Government of the United States, the government of the Dominion does not
charge itself with the duty of enforcing measures of restriction adopted
by a foreign government with regard to access to its territories by
persons of other nationalities.
[Inclosure No. 1.]
Report of the privy council.
Certified copy of a report of a committee of the
honorable the privy council, approved by his excellency the
Governor-General in council on the 16th September, 1892.
The committee of the privy council have had under consideration a
dispatch dated 10th August, 1892, from the British chargé d’affaires
at Washington, inclosing copy of a note received from the United
States Government, complaining of the action of the Canadian Pacific
Railway Company in transporting Chinese persons from China into the
United States, and requesting an immediate investigation into the
matter with a view to putting a stop to the practice.
The minister of railways and canals, to whom the question was
referred, reports that he has caused communication to be had with
the company, requesting them to furnish explanations, and that he
has received from the president, Mr. Van Home, a letter in
refutation of the charge conveyed by the complainant.
This letter they propose to supplement by statutory declarations in
support of the denial so given.
Annexed is the letter received from the president.
The minister observes that the question is one which only indirectly
concerns the department of railways and canals, audits general
bearing is not at the moment under discussion.
[Page 310]
The minister, however, desires to express the opinion, in view of the
declaration made by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, that the
allegations and suggestions of the present note of the honorable the
Secretary of State of the United States are not borne out by the
facts, and that if his information as to the numbers of Chinese who
find access to the United States through Canada, and of those who
are awaiting transport thither at Vancouver, is correct, which seems
doubtful, these people are not being aided and abetted by the
Canadian Pacific Railway Company to evade the laws of the United
States.
The minister further observes that he is of the opinion that no
foundation exists for the assertion of the Secretary of State of the
United States that the government of Canada has been in this matter
either indifferent to the wishes of the Government of the United
States or tolerant of proceedings which would imply want of
friendliness towards that power.
The minister in making the inquiry before mentioned, and in
communicating its results for the information of the Government of
the United States, thinks it well that the Government should, at the
same time, receive an intimation that, although disposed to the
utmost friendliness, the government of Canada does not charge itself
with the duty of enforcing the measures of restriction which the
government of any other country may see fit to adopt with regard to
access to their territory by persons of other nationalities.
The committee concurring in the above, advise that your excellency be
moved to forward a copy hereof, if approved, to Her Majesty’s chargé
d’affaires at Washington.
All of which is respectfully submitted for your excellency’s
approval.
John J. McGee,
Clerk of the Privy
Council.
[Inclosure No. 2.]
Mr. Van Horne
to Mr. Haggart.
The
Canadian Pacific Railway Company,
Montreal, August 23, 1892. (Received September
30.)
Dear Mr. Haggart: I have your note of
yesterday, inclosing a copy of a communication from the Secretary of
State at Washington on the subject of our action in the matter of
the transportation of the Chinese.
It is evident that somebody has been making outrageous
misrepresentations at Washington on the subject. There is no
congregation of Chinese at Vancouver, or anywhere about our Pacific
terminus, waiting to get into the United States, nor has there been
at any time; nor have we sold tickets to any Chinese who lacked the
proper certificates to secure their return to the United States.
I am just leaving for England, but have requested Mr. Shaughnessy to
take this matter in hand and to furnish you with such statutory
declarations as may be necessary to set the question at rest and to
enable you to make an absolute and comprehensive denial of the whole
charge.
Yours, etc.,
- W. C. Van Horne.
- Hon. John Haggart,
Ottawa.
