PERIOD FROM 1836 TO 1854. 415 



this Province, a copy of which I forwarded in my letters numbered 

 41 and 63, namely: 



Schooner Shetland, of Boston, 98 tons burden, seized at Whitehead, 

 near Canso. 



Schooner Magnolia, of Vinalhaven, seized at Tusket Island harbor, 

 near Yarmouth. 



Schooner Independence, of Vinalhaven, seized at Tusket Island 

 harbor. 



Schooner Hart, of Deer Isle. 



Schooner Java, of Islesborough. 



Schooner Charles, of Mount Desert, seized at Canso; this vessel 

 has been released. 



Also a schooner, name unknown, seized at Guysborough. 



Schooner Mayflower, of Boothbay, seized and sent into Guys- 

 borough. 



Schooners Battelle, Ryder Ally, and Eliza, seized at Beaver harbor. 



I enclose copies of two letters, which I thought it my duty to write 

 to the Governor, with several statements submitted to him. Also, a 

 copy of an affidavit, made by the master and crew of the schooner 

 Eliza, of Portland; and a copy of a letter addressed to me by Sir 

 Rupert D. George, baronet, Secretary of the Province; also, a report 

 made by the Queen's advocate general in the matters referred to the 

 Governor. 



You will perceive, from the papers now transmitted, the position 

 in which I am placed; urging the claims of the owners and masters 

 of the vessels, and having the expense of the crews to pay, they being 

 utterly destitute; and I have been compelled to ali'ord them the 

 assistance they required. 



I have received information that the revenue-cut tor Hamilton had 

 arrived at Yarmouth, for the purpose of inquiring into the circum- 

 stances of those seizure-, and I wished most earnestly to have seen 

 her commander; but it is now said that she has proceeded to St. 

 John's, N. B. And although I have felt the impropriety of my in- 

 terference in the business of the consulates of St. John's, N. B., Pictou 

 and Sydney. (Yarmouth and the Tusket s being nearer to St. John's 

 than to Halifax -Whitehead and Guysborough being nearer either 

 to Sydn< >y or I'ictou,) I could not refuse my assistance to American 

 citizens in distress; and I hope this will pass without censure. 



I hec; leave, also, to refer to the Journals of the I louse of Assembly, 

 now transmitted, from which it would appeal- that the provincial 

 act has been principally framed <>n the documents therein contained. 



Many other \>- .1 will n<> doubl be seized, and I shall he called 



upon by the crem of the vessels to intercede for them, and to supply 

 their wants. This 1 took the liberty of bringing under your notice 

 in my Letter No. 62; and I re pectfully urge thai the Labor of pro- 

 tecting the interests of American citizens in this province should not, 

 of Qece ity, devolve on me, as living near the seal of government, 

 while all the perquisite of office are enjoyed by other- within whose 

 consular jurisdiction the seizures have been made. 



I have the honor to be, dp, your obedient, humble servant, 



John M oh how. 



The, Hon. John FORSYTH, 



Secretary of State, Washington. 



