Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Olney.
Washington, May 16, 1896.
Sir: I have the honor to bring to your notice that I have received a report from Her Majesty’s consul at New Orleans to the effect that two men originally found as stowaways on board the steamship Cuban were, on leaving Liverpool, put on the ship’s articles and enrolled as members of the crew, certain duties being assigned to them and their wages fixed at 30 shillings a month; that on the arrival of the Cuban at New Orleans the men were in the regular performance of their duties. Nevertheless, they were treated by the customs authorities as alien pauper immigrants, and eventually—the men having deserted, notwithstanding that all possible precautions were taken—the master of the Cuban was fined $300.
I understand that the case and the correspondence relating thereto are now before the Treasury Department, and as the proceeding in this matter appears to be contrary to the ruling of the United States courts and to the Treasury instructions on the subject, I trust that orders may be issued for the remission of this fine.
I have, etc.,