840 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



I have the honor to ask that Her Britannic Majesty's Government 

 cause investigation to be made of the reported action of the customs 

 officer at Steep Creek, and if the facts be as stated, that he be promptly 

 rebuked for his unlawful and inhumane conduct in denying to a vessel 

 of a friendly nation a general privilege, which is not only held sacred 

 under the maritime law of nations, but which is expressly confirmed 

 to the fishermen of the United States throughout the Atlantic coasts 

 of British North America by the first article of the convenion of 1818. 



It does not appear that the A. R. Crittenden suffered other damage 

 by this alleged inhospitable treatment, but reserving that point the 

 incident affords an illustration of the vexatious spirit in which the 

 officers of the Dominion of Canada appear to seek to penalize and 

 oppress those fishing vessels of the United States, lawfully engaged in 

 fishing, which from any cause are brought within their reach. 

 I have, &c., 



T. F. BAYARD. 



Sir L. West to Mr. Bayard. 



BRITISH LEGATION, 



Washington, September %5, 1886. (Received September 27.) 

 SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of 

 the 23d instant requesting that investigation should be made of the 

 reported action of the customs officer at Steep Creek, in the Straits of 

 Canso, in threatening the United States fishing schooner Crittenden 

 with seizure if she took in water, and to inform you that I have 

 advised Her Majesty's Government accordingly. 

 I have, &c., 



L. S. SACKVILLE WEST. 



Lord Iddesleigh to Mr. Phelps. 



FOREIGN OFFICE, October 11, 1886. 



SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of 

 the llth ultimo, on the subject of the Canadian fisheries, and I beg 

 leave to acquaint you that the note is under the careful consideration 

 of Her Majesty's Government and that an answer will be returned as 

 early as possible. 



I have, &c., IDDESLEIGH. 



Sir L. West to Mr. Bayard. 



WASHINGTON, October 12, 1886. 



(Received October 13.) 



SIR : With reference to your note of the 14th June relative to cer- 

 tain warnings alleged to have been given to United States fishing ves- 

 sels by the subcollector of customs at Canso, I have the honor to 

 inclose to you herewith by instruction from the Earl of Iddesleigh 



