Sir Julian
Pauncefote to Mr. Gresham.
British
Embassy,
Newport, August 31, 1893.
(Received September 4.)
Sir: With reference to previous correspondence
on the subject of reciprocal wrecking privileges in the inland waters
contiguous to Canada and the United States, I have the honor to inclose
copy of an approved minute of the privy council of Canada which I have
received from his excellency, the administrator of the Dominion,
representing
[Page 349]
that though at
the conference held at Washington in February, 1892, it was agreed that
instructions should be issued by the United States Treasury Department
to authorize the necessary towing incidental to the wrecking and salvage
contemplated by the act of Congress, and to provide for the relaxation
of the customs laws, no such instructions have yet been issued.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1]
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 22d August, 1893.
On a report dated 18th August, 1893, from the minister of trade and
commerce, submitting the following in regard to reciprocal wrecking
privileges:
That at the conference held in Washington in February, 1892, the
question of reciprocal wrecking was considered, and it was then
agreed that the subject “should be dealt with by legislation on the
part of Canada, and by instructions from the Treasury Department of
the United States to give the act of Congress on this subject such
liberal construction as to include permission for all towing
necessary and incidental to wrecking and salvage and the relaxation
of customs laws in so far as may be necessary to make the reciprocal
arrangement effective.”
That in pursuance of this agreement the necessary legislative
enactment was passed by Canada, which provided for such towing as
might be incidental to wrecking, and providing that nothing in the
customs or coasting laws of Canada should restrict the saving
operations of vessels or wrecking appliances.
The minister observes that in due course the requisite proclamation
was issued by the Governor-General of Canada bringing the act into
force, whereupon the President of the United States also issued his
proclamation declaring the United States acts on the subject to be
in force, but as the United States acts made no provision for
coasting and towing or relaxation of customs laws, it was thought
that in the terms of the agreement the United States Treasury
Department had issued the proposed instructions on the subject.
That in order to obtain a copy of such instructions a letter was
addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury on the 8th August
instant, as per copy attached, calling attention to the matter and
asking that a copy might be forwarded. A reply, under date the 14th
August instant, has come to hand (copy attached), from which it
appears that no instructions other than those conveyed by the
President’s proclamation have been issued.
The minister under these circumstances recommends that the further
attention of the United States Government be called to the subject
through Her Majesty’s ambassador at Washington, with a view to
procuring the issue of the instructions agreed upon, in order to
avoid any misconceptions of the true intent of the meaning of the
acts and proclamations that may otherwise arise in connection with
the subject.
The committee advise that your excellency be moved to forward a
certified copy of this minute to Her Majesty’s ambassador at
Washington.
All of which is respectfully submitted for your excellency’s
approval.
John J. McGee,
Clerk of the Privy
Council.
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Parmelee to
Mr. Carlisle.
Sir: Referring to the subject of reciprocal
wrecking privileges in waters conterminous to Canada and the United
States, a copy of the President’s proclamation of the 17th ultimo
has reached this department through the usual official channel, but
as yet no copy of any instructions from the Treasury Department,
which it was understood at the conference held in Washington in
February, 1892, would be issued in order to give to the act of
Congress such construction as would include permission for any
towing incidental and necessary to wrecking and salvage, and as to
the relaxation of custom laws or regulations that might be necessary
to make the reciprocal arrangements effective.
[Page 350]
I am instructed by the honorable the minister of trade and commerce
to inquire whether any instructions on the subject have yet issued;
and if so, I would be pleased to receive a copy, in order that due
notice of the reciprocal agreement may be given to Canadian officers
and others interested.
I have, etc.,
W. G. Parmelee,
Deputy Minister.
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Wike to Mr.
Parmelee.
Treasury Department,
Washington, August 14,
1893.
Sir: Referring to your letter of the 8th
instant, I transmit herewith a copy of a circular embodying the only
instructions issued by this Department in connection with the
President’s proclamation of July 17, 1893, relative to wrecking
privileges.
Respectfully, etc.,
S. Wike, Assistant Secretary.
