Winter Meeting. 259 



and in letters, that facts, such as are above submitted, should be pre- 

 sented in connection with remonstrances to the Congressmen, so that they 

 may act promptly and decisively for the saving of Niagara. 



According to Charles M. Dow, President of the Board of Commis- 

 sioners of the New York State Reservation at Niagara, the Treaty of 

 Ghent, which fixed the boundary lines in the Niagara river, "devolves 

 upon the two governments the moral duty of protecting it." The state 

 of New York has invested in the Reservation at Niagara Falls about 

 $2,500,000. Quoting Mr. Dow, "Whatever impairs the value of Ni- 

 agara Falls as a spectacle impairs the value of that investment." 



The ordinance of 1787 recognizes the common interest of all the 

 states and territories in the Niagara river, for it recites that all waters 

 flowing into the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence rivers and the carry- 

 ing places between shall be held as public highways forever free to the 

 people without impost of duty. 



President Roosevelt suggests to those who would help to save Ni- 

 agara that urgent letters be sent to United States Senators and Con- 

 gressmen, recommending joint international action." 



The Society, through its Secretary, wrote an earnest letter of co- 

 operation in the work of the Civic Association, and promised the matter 

 should be followed up with direct letters to our Congressmen, which has 

 also been done according to the resolution. — (Secretary.) 



