The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-11
MICHIGAN LUMBrRMEY COMPLAIN.
Canada Prohibits the Expectation of Timber
They Purchased from the Government.

Ihsy HuFGnubeu tno government
WASHINGTON. June Ex-senator Mcmillan OF
Michigan. on behalf Of his constituents who
have invested in Canadian timber lands. has
called the attention OF the Secretary OF state
TO the pecunary losses to which they have
been subjected by adverse legislation by the
Province OF Ontario, and suggesting that it be
made the subject OF effective remonstrance to
the Government Of Great Britain. His letter.
addressed to Secretary Hay. follows:
DEAR SIR: 1t has bsen represented tho
Department OF State that the province OF On
lrio. Dominion OF Canada, has enacted legis-
alton confscating the property OF til" citizens
of the United States. Among those whose
property is thus appropriated are a consider
able number OF residents OF Michigan. who
have suffered losses by reason OF legislation
repugnant to American ideas of right and
justice.
AT the instance otthe Government OF Ontario.
citizens OF Michigan purchased In omen market
the timber on certain OF the crown lands Of that
province Tho Government now forbids tho
export OF that timber. although when it was
bought tho established custom was to cut logs
in Canada and to raft them across the lakes for
manufacture into lumber. so that a very con-
siderable portion Of the lumber sawed in east
ern Michigan was manufactured from Canadian
logs. .,.., .,o. ,,,,,.
OF the Northwest tho principle of the inviOl-
ability Of contracts was established even be-
fore the adoption of the Constitution Of the
United states: and those Of our citizens who
are now suffering from unjust acts 81
subordinate member Of n Government be-
tween which and this country peace
and amity prevail. are seriously dis
turbed that seemingly no steps arc be-
ing taken to make right Il WRONG. that IL
such "A palpahie violation OF the fundamental
principles OF justice. We're the courts Of the
| dominion open to citizens OF the United States
as our courts are open To- clti2onS OF every
| nation with whom wa have friendly relations.
| the contention would there h" settled: but
| even the privilege" of going into Canadian
| courts to test the validity uf a provincial law is
denied to citizens Of the United States,
| . cannot DOUBT that the Department Of
! State will make If it has not already made
| the heavy pccunury losses that citizens Of this
! country are suffering through legislation vio-
| latng contracts entered into mt the instance Of
| the very Government that now has cOpfScatcd
| the property tho subject OF effective rcmOn-
| STRANGE to the Government OF Great Britain.
| My constituents. who have had this un.
| lust burden put upon them, have appealed
to me to take steps to secure redress Of their
| wrongs In addition to what ! have already
done. il will continue 10 bn my duty to press
! this matter in every proper manner untI tho
! Justice they sock shall be secured for them. |
! would lie grateful to you for any Information
| you may bs able. consistently with the public
| interests to give on this subject
Il am. very respectfully. yours ,,,
THE Hon. John Hay. Secretary of State"