, 1870-07-12
AueEeu Seizure OF Property b47 Hner-i
ic1a OIflceFs In Canasi1zan, Tarp-

From Tia Toro1to Gzoos, 1s1ya.
case u reported from the ST. -Cttr. fuu-
tieF which will doubtless engage. the attention,
OF both the Canadian and United States Gov
ernments and II the facts turn ont u statei
py our correspondents, there cao be little
doubt that the person who has suffered by
what appears to have been very unca1lo4l Tor
act OF interference, to use no stronger term
Custom officers, will obtain full and carly rep
arntion- Tho facts stated are a. follows
AlE- john Brown, = contractor, has been
1or somo Years engaged N dredging
new channel through the ST. Clair fats %
this eastward OF the old ship canal That this
gentleman s works are within Canadian iu.is-
dictlon will not bo disputed. In tbs ordinary
course Of his operations Mr. Brown purchased
wood which was shipped in the Sydenlam
River on two vessels, . steam barge aud wood
Wallaceburg- On its arrival Mt the scene OF
operation. tho wood was discharged an the
western side Of the works. The men had mt
unloaded the freight, however when thsy
we're pouEced down upon By party OF teVanue
ohcera from Detroit, who seized the vessel
and wood (afty-eight cords), and lIt Little,
happening next day to folIew his cargo,
they arrested hIm Mso, ard carried him o6
with his property to Detroit, on charge OF
smuggling. He was ultimately released With
Lis effects on giEtng bonds for the prope1ty in
=, 500 and s500 for costs L NJ. Little had,
Without notice, landed dntiable materials on
American soil, however openly, Ne may ss-
snme that it HouA constitute cont1aha2a2
proceeding, however mit,g7ted by the absenca
OF any attempt at concealnent. The question
which arises H. therefore, the very simple one
wheihes tho boundary dividing Canada from
the Cuited States is to tho usst Of tho
point at which the seizure took place. OF mora
to the eastward, in which case tho Amer
right. Rnt in tho f.ee OK the settlement un-
der the treaty Of Client, in 1S12> Il appears
hardly possible to doubt that the act COM
planned of Is altogether uuNar1antahle- After
tracing the boundary line up the Detroit Nrer
to Laka St; Clair, tha boundary ls defined to
run through the middle Of said lake in direc-
ton t. enter that mouth or channel OF the
River st. Clair, which is usually denominated
the Old Ship Channel; thence along the mid
die cf said chaute1, between Squirrel IsIAnd
northwest, in a direction to enter the
straight or passage batEean Drummon's
Island on the west and tho Little Hanitou On
tina east thence through tho middle OF Tho
passage which divides the two last mentioned
islauds, etc. III. browns Vo1ka are said to
be on the east Of the channel tins indicated,
and consequently within Canalian TERRITORY,
Two points, therefore, If there really ia any
!; question At all about tha matter, have to b,
decided Fist. Whether there exists doubt
settled, vas the property seized in United
States terltory or not? Residing the definition
s1ove gwen, We are not able to
nscoVer any ground for dispute
as to the respective E1aits Of the two
countries That conceded, demand for dus
compensation to Mr. Little and an apology
for the mistake wo1ld follow, and We should
suppose not be disputed or refused. It is for
the interest OF both nations to nyoid any diff
cul:ics Of this nature The officers who made
tie arrest probably acted On their own re-
tsFonsieility, and although that does not re-
hsFe the government Of its liability to Mr..
Little, It would render It the more easy to
be dealt With promptly and energetieally, and
as described, Is one thst should be very
easy OF solution