The Secretary of State to
the British Ambassador.
Department of State,
Washington, May 6,
1904.
No. 72.]
Excellency: In accordance with the conversation
which I had with your excellency on the 5th of May, I have the honor to
inclose a copy of a resolution adopted by the senate and assembly of the
[Page 481]
State of New York,
suggesting joint action by the Governments of the United States and
Great Britain for the protection of the Niagara Falls.
I am not prepared at this moment to formulate any scheme of an
international convention for this purpose, and, therefore, transmit the
resolution as I have received it, for the information of your
excellency’s government, hoping that the subject may engage the
attention of the British foreign office and the Dominion government, to
the end that we may in future agree upon some means of attaining the
laudable object contemplated by the legislature of the State of New
York.
I should be glad to receive any suggestions which may occur to your
excellency on the matter in question.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
State of New York, In Senate,
Albany, March 17, 1904.
By Mr. E. R. Brown:
Whereas the grants of water power at Niagara Falls heretofore made by
Canada and the State of New York have established a policy in
relation to the diversion of the waters of Niagara River, the
indiscriminate pursuit of which may seriously impair if not destroy
the beauty of this wonder of nature; and
Whereas there can be no adequate protection of the Falls against
injurious grants except through the united action of the United
States and Great Britain,
Resolved (if the assembly concur), That this
legislature memorialize the President of the United States to open
negotiations with Great Britain for the purpose of framing a treaty
which shall prevent any diversions of waters of the Niagara River
injurious to Niagara Falls as they now exist.
Resolved further, That in the opinion of this
legislature this State should, so far as necessary to the final
accomplishment of this purpose, cooperate with the National
Government by withholding legislation likely to render such action
on the part of the National Government nugatory and to unite in any
legislation or constitutional enactment essential to give such
treaty when executed full effect.
By order, Senate:
[
seal.]
J. S. Whipple, Clerk.
In Assembly, April 9, 1904.
Concurred in without amendment.
By order of the Assembly:
