PERIOD FROM 1836 TO 1854. 491 



ponents, the undersigned may fearlessly refer Mr. Everett to Mr. 

 Dodd's own declaration, supported as it is by that of Mr. Davenport, 

 the collector of customs, already alluded to ; and the undersigned ha9 

 little doubt that a perusal of those papers will convince Mr. Everett 

 that not only no harsh treatment was practised against the master and 

 crew of the " Argus " but that they were treated, from first to last, 

 with the utmost kindness and consideration. In fact, from Mr. 

 Dodd's declaration, it clearly appears that nearly the whole of 

 the affidavits of the two Dought3 7 s, who depose against him, form a 

 tissue of wilful and shameless misrepresentations; the more culpable 

 because they exhibit the most flagrant ingratitude towards Mr. Dodd, 

 who not only allowed them every indulgence, and stood between them 

 and the collector of customs, in order to soften the rigor of the law, 

 which the latter considered it his duty to carry into full effect, but, 

 after the condemnation of their vessel, actually conveyed the master 

 and two of his men, who were witnesses for him, to Halifax, in the 

 "Sylph" at his (Mr. Dodd's) own expense, in consequence of having 

 heard that they were anxious to proceed thither in the hope of obtain- 

 ing the release of their vessel. 



The undersigned apprehends that after taking cognizance of the 

 papers to which he has referred, Mr. Everett will allow that there is 

 no occasion for his adding one word to that evidence, in order to 

 prove to Mr. Everett that this is a matter in which the whole of the 

 facts have been grossly misrepresented by gratuitous malice, and that 

 the interposition of the authority of the United States government, 

 for the protection of the complainants, has been claimed on false 

 pretenses. 



The undersigned has the honor to renew to Mr. Everett the assur- 

 ance of his high consideration. 



Aberdeen. 



[Inclosure No. 1.] 



M r. Stephen to Viscount Canning. 



Downing Street, January P, 1845. 



Mr Lord: With reference to your lordship's letter of the 16th 

 October. I urn directed by Lord Stanley to transmit to you, for the 

 information of the Earl of AJberdeen, the enclosed copy of a despatch 

 which has been received from the Lieutenant Governor of Nova 



otia, relative to the seizure of the American fishing vessel Argus, 

 which forms the subject <>f the note from the minister of the United 

 States, enclosed in your above mentioned letter. 

 I have, &c., &c, 



James Stephen. 



Viscount Canning, &c, &c. 



I Suti Inclorare.] 



Lord Falkland to Lord Stanley, 



Goi 1 1.\ mint House, 

 Halifax, December //. 1844. 

 My Lord: T have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 

 despatch, No. 191, of the -20th October, enclosing b Letter from the 



