811.114 Median/5
The British Ambassador (Howard) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of February 8th (File Reference 811.114 Median/3), in which, replying to my representations regarding the detention and search of British [Page 995] vessels in Delaware Bay and at various points in the Delaware River, you inform me that the appropriate United States authorities deny the discrimination alleged by the steamships “Median”, “Manchester Corporation” and “London Mariner”. In this connection, and for the purpose of removing the possibility of misunderstanding, I beg leave to point out that my note No. 728 of December 28th last on this subject did not allege any discrimination on the part of the United States Coast Guard authorities between the three abovementioned British vessels or British shipping in general on the one hand and vessels of other nationality on the other. I merely intended to draw attention to the serious loss of time and inconvenience involved in this practice of search and detention, which might easily result, on some future occasion, in the grounding of a British steamer in the narrow channel of the Delaware River, with resulting prejudice to British shipping interests. I note that the boarding officers are at pains to exercise particular care that their duty is performed in a reasonable and lawful manner and that no action is taken which might in any way unnecessarily delay or inconvenience legitimate shipping.
I have [etc.]