New-York tribune., 1901-06-08
RETURNED TO MR.. WSON
PROPOSED CHARTER FOR THE INDE-
PENDENCE REJECTED.
YACHT CLUBS COMMITTEE ALLEGES VIII.
FUL MIsCoNsTRUCTIoN AND BREAKS
OFF NEGoTIATIoNs-THE BOAT
NOT DEBARRED.

The challenge committee of the New-York
Yacht Club. through Lewis Cass Ledyard. chair
man. has accused Thomas w. Lawson. the own
er of the Independence. of wilful misconstruc-
tion of the clubs terms. has declined to reopen
negotiations with him regarding the Independ-
ence's entry for the trials to select representa-
tive to defend the Americas Cup. and has re-
truned to him papers drawn up by his counsel
in Boston. proposing form of charter for his
yacht.
This action. the New-York YACHT Clubs
committee states in it's reply does not bar the
entrance Of the Independence in the trial races
if notification be sent to the committee from
one of the clubs members that the yacht has
been transferred to him and is entered in his
rame.
REPLY To MR.. LAWSON
With the reply OF the committee. the comrno-
/ dore returns the proposed form OF charter and
/ the copy Of the legal opinion and says that the
| committee must decline to pursue the subject
further with Mr.. Lawson This letter is as fol-
lows:
-, No II West Forty-fourth-st-. June T. 1901
Thomas W. Lawson. ESQ.
Sir: Your letter of June was received this
Ing of an instrument signed by you and a copy OF
not disclosed are herewith returned to you. the
committee CON having notified you on June that Il did
charter YOU might propose to make:
mittee has been anxious to believe that you had
other object than to avail yourself of such reason
the dependence to Compete for the honor Of de-
Tending tae Cup and they have therefore in spite
might have been taken. treated you with uniform
Your last letter. however with it's Enclosures.
indicates settled purpose on your part 70 mis-
has been again and again stated to you in terms
too plain to be open to any but wiful misconstruc-
1t is evident that further discussion can serve no
decline to pursue the subject further with you
If member of this club notifies the secretary
has accepted a transfer of her. it will be for such
qualified enter. Respectfully,
LEWIS CASS LEDYARD. Chairman.
The last clause Of this letter is interesting in
showing that the chances of the Independence
for entering the trial races remain as before. in
case Mr.. Lawson changes his mind and charters
or conveys the vessel to member of the club.
The committee although it's last letter is of a
chilly nature. does not debar the Independence
in any way. The above correspondence was
given out after meeting Of the Challenge Com
mittee yesterday morning.
The correspondence was given out last night
by ]. v. S. Oddie, secretary of the New-York
Yacht Club. The first letter. dated May 25. has
already been published In IT Mr.. Lawson said:
will at once charter interest in her to such
COMMITTEE and win give such person or persons
fun control and management OF her during the
match
In the reply. dated May 2s. the committee.
through Commodore Ledyard. saws that any
member or members of the club whom Mr.. Law
may elect will be person or persons agree
able this committee
To this Mr.. Lawson replied on May %. say
ing he had instructed his counsel to prepare a
form of charter which would be submitted
the committee for approval
Under date of June the chairman replied that
1t was not necessary to submit any form OF
charter, this being a matter between owner and
chartarar