PERIOD FEOM 1836 TO 1854. 515 



Consul Braine to Mr. Webster. 



Xo. 96.] Consulate of the U. States of America, 



Halifax, N. S., August 9th, 1852. 



Sir: Mr. Livingston, under date of 2d inst. desires me to inform 

 you of my having sent on to the United States (Boston) a number of 

 des c . American Seamen, not deeming this of sufficient importance to 

 trouble }ou with, I did not advise you at the time. 



The Ship "Reciprocity " was destroyed by fire in lat. 45.30, Lon. 

 45.50, Captain Valpey and crew (30 in number) were rescued from the 

 Boats by the French Schooner "Aigle " of Eoen, from Cadis for St. 

 Pierre Miquelon, from whence a part were forwarded to this Con- 

 sulate, as you will observe by reference to the annexed copies of let- 

 ters received here with the men, they arrived here on the 27th July, 

 and having lost everything in the ship, I provided for them that day, 

 and the same evening put them on board the Steam packet Sir John 

 Harvey for Boston. 



The usual charge by the sailing packets was $8. but the agents 

 since having a steamer on the line charge $9. for such passengers, 

 and as it was most for the Government interest I allowed it, sooner 

 than keep the men here for other opportunities. The order referred 

 to by Mr. Archibold was on you for $52.00 being passage money from 

 Sydney to this Port. It was certified to and en uors'ed by me. 

 Vice Admiral Sir G. Seymour in the Flagship Cumberland (70) 

 returned to this Port on the 5th inst. from St. Johns NFd. Land, 

 where he had been on a visit connected with the Fisheries. The Ad- 

 miral was accompanied on his return by Sir I. Gaspard LeMarchant, 

 late Governor of that Colony and now appointed as the Lieutenant 

 Governor of this Province. His Excellency was sworn in the same 

 day immediately on landing. 



During the month of July the fleet on this Station have been 

 reinforced by Steamships " Buzzard " & " Basilisk " of six guns 

 each. The Admiral has also hired the Brig "Arrow " and Schr. 

 "Telegraph'''' at (his Port. These vessels are specially employed for 

 the protection of the Fisheries and with others are stationed thus. 

 Brig " Sappho " 12, Brig "Arrow " and the Steam Ships " Bussard " 

 6, and " B.asiliks " 6 on the Labrador, and Newfoundland Coast. 

 The latter Str. is yet in this harbour, but will be off soon. 



Steamship "Devastation" (>, and the Schr. "Telegraph" in the 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Schooner Bermuda, and Cutter Nelley 

 in the Bay of Fundy. 



Besides these the Colonial Government, of this Province, have 

 three ve els ;i- I informed you on the L3th M.iv (hey had advertised 

 for, they are, the Brig "Halifax" ;it Pictbu and the Eastern Coast, 

 Schooner "Responsible". < in* of Qanso and Cape Breton, and Brig. 

 Belle, nt Cape sable, and the coasts in its vicinity, the seizing officer 

 of this latter vessel^ frag £aken the Schooner u Helen Maria'''' of 

 Gloucester- Mr« Grantham, the Consular agent :it Yarmouth has 

 forwarded me the Prote I of the Master and crew <>f this vessel. 

 They were received Saturday (7) and lain immediately before his 

 Excellency the Lieut Governor, bui the vessel had then been re- 

 leased a \<>ii will notice <>ii reference t" copies of letters relating to 

 her. also annexed. 



92909 B. Doc. *70, 61-3, vol 2 34 



