New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-16
THE BRIDGEWATER CASE.
MRS ALIENS COMPROMISE OFFER RE-
JECTED.
AN OUTRAGE BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT
NOW THE SUBJECT OF DIPLOMATIC
CORRESPONDENCE
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


Ottawa. Ont. Aug. l5.-There promises to be
an interesting diplomatic correspondence over the
refusal of the Dominion Government to recognize
the claim for damages brought by the widow of
Captain Allen of Brooklyn, for the al
legged wrongful detention and seizure of his regis
tered American ship Bridgewater by the Canadian
Customs officers at Shelburne, n. S., three years
ago The Bridgewater is now supposed TO be at
the bottom of the Atlantic. She sailed from u
Georgian port for Liverpool in December last, but
never reached her destination. Captain Allen
and all on board supposed to have gone down
on the Inflated craft.
Recently Captain Aliens widow annoyed at
The delay in obtaining settlement through
diplomatic channels, offered to accept $4,000 as
compensation in lieu of the original claim OF
$4,000 The Dominion Government sent her
word to-day that her proposition cannot be enter
tanned and suggesting that her only alternative
is 10 press the suit for damages entered in
the Nova Scotia courts two years ago by her
husband against the Collector. who made the
seizure. This decision does not look consistent
as the Dominion Government two years ago. upon
the advice of Sir John Thompson Minister Of
Justice informed Captain Allen that the Crown
could not be held responsible for the acts of
its agents.
water, merchant vessel of the United States,
l,;l57 tons register, put into Shelburne, Nova
Scotia. In April, 1887. in distress while on
voyage from st. John, New Brunswick TO Liver
pool The master made entry of the ship and
cargo at the custom-housc, paying all prescribed
charges and conforming with every municipal and
Dominion law. The ship-owner effected ar
rangement with the cargo-owner whereby the
interests were separated, tie damaged cargo hav-
ing been sent TO It's destination in another
ship, and the Brid0ewater put under
extensive repairs. About this time an ci-
fort was made TO sell this registered ship
of the United States at public auction TO whom
soever would purchase her, but there being no
satisfactory bids the owner had her Knocked
down TO himself After lapse of a couple of
months and when the repairs were approaching
completion the Collector of Customs, acting
under instructions of the Commissioner of Gus
toms. seized the ship, taking forcibe possession
of her on grounds, as alleged by himself In
writing, that the Canadian Revenue law had
been violated in this, that the Bridgewater was
nondescript merchandise subject to % per cent
duty on its value per the tariff
schedule, and not having been entered
as such by the owner was subject to
confscation. The ship-owner, through the Consul
OF the United States, pointed out to the Collector
of Customs, and he in turn TO the Customs De
partment at Ottawa, the error and fallacles OF
these pretensions. Nevertheless the seizure was
maintained After lapse of ffty-Seven days the
authorities of Canada submitted a proposition to
release the Bridgewater on condition that she take
d clearance 10 foreign port ana leave sthe couh-
try on completion of the repairs, after first paying
the expenses incurred in connection with
the seizure. This offer was rejected
On October Is, eighty-one days after the
seizure the Collector OF Customs unconditionally
released the ship. passing her to the owner
representatives and taking from her mast the
Oueen's broad arrow. An action was thereupon
entered against the Collector, but it never came
up for hearing. The owner appealed 10 the Gov
munications are passing in respect 10 It, the owner
having been assured that the amount WILL III
time BE collected.