Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-07-15
sEoEsrARr BAr4nD,s 1ErrEn.
aho Assures Captain Lewis that IEe
shall Have Justice.
Following is the text of Secretary
Bayard's letter to Captain Lewie, q victim
Of the Onnndinn fiqhnrY tronhles

Bayard's letter TO Captain Lewie, victim
OF the Canadian fishery troubles
DEPARTMENT or gr,rE. wAsHINaroN, juno
| Both, 1896 Captain Jesse L.'ris. Otpher nf
NE schooner D0Uid j. adams Gloucester,
Mass: Sf0 i have vour letter dated the
! 26th Inst, stating the severe loss to YOU
| occasioned by tho summary seizure, 10y the
| Canadian authorities In Annapolis basin
| Nova Scotia, Of yOHr fishing schooner. the
Dhvid j. Adams, which. rs you say, Is all
the property You possess and constituted
your "only support"
1t Is proper that should inform you that
| demand was made upon the government OF
Great Britnin for tho rolease Of the vessel,
coupled with notification that that govern
ment would be held answernble for all loss
| and damage caused by her seizure and deten-
tion. Your case commands my sincere sym
pathy, and ever since II WINS brought TO my
knowledge has had the constant eonsidera-
ton OF this department and OF the consular
oiiicors OF the United States In the dominion
Of Canada.
Mr.. William l.. Putnam of Portland, Me-,
In conjunction with Mr.. George W. Biddle
OF Philhdelphia, has been engaged by this
government as its legal counsel In respect
OF Its rights and duties which may be-
brought in question by reason OF the
seizure Of your vessel. II you will commu-
nicnte with Mr.. Putnam he will no doubt
givo you all information in his power
in relation to the laws under
which your property was 30 seized, and
suggest what steps should be taken to pro-
teet your private interest in tho premises.
Moreover, suggest that you should care
fully secure evidence on all the facts con-
neeted with the presence OF your vessel In
Annapolis Basin, and Of the absence OF any
unlawful act or intention on the part of her
master, crew or owner, as well as proof OF
the actual loss and injury sustained by you
by reason OF this harsh, and, as believe
wholly unwnrranted action by the Canadian
oiiicials-snph evidence to be obtained and
preserved as the basis of claims for your
remuneration,
More thnn yoar ago | sought to protect
our citizens engaged ia fishing from the re-
suits which might attend any possible mis-
understanding between the governments Of
dreat Britain and the United States as to
the measure OF their mutual rights and
privileges In the territorial waters OF British
North America, after the termination Of tho
fishery articles Of the treaty OF Washington
In juno last. II seemed to me then, and
seems to mo now, very hard that differences
OF opinion between the two governments
shoulf ciluse loss TO the honest citizens
whose line OF obedience might thus be rom
dered vague and uncertain and their prop
erty be brought into jeopardy. Influenced
by TINS feeling, | procured n temporary ar
WHlEl bttuTbu our
full enjoyment OF all the Canadian fisheries,
free from molestation during period which
would permit discussion OF q Just inter-
national settlement of tho whole fishery
question. But other counsels prevailed, and
my efforts further to protect the fishermen
from such trouble rs you now suffer were
unAvalling
To secure for them full protection In the
enjoyment Of all their just rights and priyl-
leRes Is still my earnest intent and object,
and for all losses 10 which they h ~ be I'M.
lawfully subjected ut tho hands u the au-
thorittes OF foreign governments shall
seek and expect 10 obtain full redrass Ire.
gret exceedingly the disturbance Ia the long
customary pursuits and the serious loss and
Inconvenience attendant upon Il disputed
construction uflaws and treaties by two sepa-
ratio governments, and trust that shall
soon he enabled to secure such clear and
comprehensive declaration Of agreement
between those charged with tho administra-
tlon Of the two governments as will define
the line Of their rights and secure from mo.
le-tntl0n those American fishermen who,
obeylne the lnjunetions oftheir governmen
respecting suh0riination TO the laws Of for
elgn governments, keep within the laws Of
their own country.
Rcpantion for all losses unlawfully
eaused by foreign authority viii be made
the subject Of international presentation
and demand. am, sir, Il. +. BAYARD.