824 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



It appears that the collector at Canso, in conversation with the 

 master of a fishing vessel, expressed the opinion that the headland line 

 ran from Cranberry Island to St. Esprit, but this was wholly unau- 

 thorized. 



I am, &c. 



Mr. Bayard to Mr. Hardinge. 



DEPARTMENT or STATE, 



Washington, August 9, 1886. 



SIR : I regret that it has become my duty to draw the attention of 

 Her Majesty's Government to the unwarrantable and unfriendly 

 treatment, reported to me this day by the United States consul-general 

 at Halifax, experienced by the American fishing schooner Rattler, 

 of Gloucester, Mass., on the 3d instant, upon the occasion of her being 

 driven by stress of weather to find shelter in the harbor of Shelburne, 

 Nova Scotia. 



She was deeply laden and was off the harbor of Shelburne when 

 she sought shelter in a storm and cast anchor just inside the harbor's 

 entrance. 



She was at once boarded by an officer of the Canadian cutter 

 Terror, who placed two men on board. 



When the storm ceased the Rattler weighed anchor to proceed on 

 her way home, when the two men placed on board by the Terror dis- 

 charged their pistols as a signal, and an officer from the Terror again 

 boarded the Rattler and threatened to seize the vessel unless the cap- 

 tain reported at the custom-house. 



The vessel was then detained until the captain reported at the cus- 

 tom-house, after which she was permitted to sail. 



The hospitality which all civilized nations prescribe has thus been 

 violated and the stipulations of a treaty grossly infracted. 



A fishing vessel, denied all the usual commercial privileges in a 

 port, has been compelled strictly to perform commercial obligations. 



In the interests of amity, I ask that this misconduct may be prop- 

 erly rebuked by the Government of Her Majesty. 



I have, &c., T. F. BAYARD. 



Mr. Presson to Mr. Bayard. 



COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, 



Gloucester, Mass., August 9, 1886. (Received August 11.) 

 SIR: I am requested to forward the inclosed affidavit of Capt. 

 Daniel McDonald of schooner Hereward, of Gloucester, in regard to 

 his detention at Cape Canso, Nova Scotia, July 2. 

 Very respectfully, &c., 



D. S. PRESSON, 



Collector. 



