414 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



or to enable you to provide such other remedy as the case seems to 

 demand. 



The Port of George Town in Prince Edwards Island has been 

 declared a "Free Port" for Foreign vessels, but I do not see that 

 it can for many years possess a trade of any importance. It is at 

 present very extensively used as a Port of Shelter by U. States 

 Fishermen, and its being made a "Free Port" affords no greater 

 privileges in that respect than heretofore. 



As the Fishermen resort much to George Town, and to the Strait 

 of Canso, I have thought it might be advisable to appoint an Agent 

 at each of these places, but on this point I beg to be favored with 

 your directions. 



Have I and the Agents which I appoint power to administer 

 Oaths, or merely to take the declarations of parties? 



In my instructions I am informed that " on subjects relating to 

 duties regarding the revenues, particular instructions will be given 

 by the Treasury " may I request to be favored with these instructions, 

 as I am at a loss for the proper form of Consular Certificates of 

 Invoice. 



I am also desirous of being informed whether cargoes of coal 

 require to be accompanied with a certified Invoice, as such document 

 is very seldom called for. 



I trust my letter No. 9 enclosing my returns No. 1 has reached 

 your Department. I shall be much assisted in the performance of 

 my duties, if I can be furnished with any of the publications noticed 

 in my letter No. G. 



The desertion of American Seamen at this Port, induced by the 

 high rate of wages given to navigate New Colonial vessels to Eng- 

 land, has of late become a serious obstacle to the interests of Ameri- 

 can shipping. 



I shall be assiduous in my endeavours to check this practise as 

 much as possible, but the local authorities in many instances refuse 

 to grant Warrants for the apprehension or confinement of such 

 deserters, alleging that they have no right to interfere with foreign- 

 ers. This renders it necessary that I should be fully informed what 

 my powers are over Seamen of the U. States in this Port, and I shall 

 look anxiously for your advice on this subject, to enable me to put 

 forth every proper effort, to arrest the progress of an evil of so much 

 magnitude. 



I have the Honor to be Sir, Your most obt & Humble Servant 



James Primrose. 



Consul Morrow to Mr. Forsyth. 



(No. 77) Consulate of the United States of America, 



Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 27, 1839. 

 Sir: I have to state that a number of American vessels have been 

 seized in this Province for violating, as has been alleged, the conven- 

 tion between the United States and Great Britain, and the law of 



