PERIOD FROM 1871 TO 1905. 937 



[Sub-inclosure 2.] 



Mr. Atwood to Mr. Johnson. 



CUSTOM-HOUSE, SHELBURNE, January 5, 1887. 



SIR : With reference to the statement by Medeo Rose, master of the 

 schooner Laura Sayward, I beg to say that in many particulars it is 

 not true and is very unjust. The custom-house was not closed, as 

 stated. Office hours are supposed to be from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m., but 

 masters of vessels, American fishermen particularly, are allowed to 

 report their vessels inward and outward, and obtain clearances at any 

 hour between 6 a. m. and 11 p. m. (Sundays excepted), and the office 

 is always open. On the 6th October last I left at 4 p. m., and went to 

 an agricultural exhibition, not an eighth of a mile distant say a 

 three minutes' walk and left word at the office to tell any one who 

 called w T here I could be found. I had been on the grounds about 

 fifteen minutes when Captain Rose put in an appearance, and I at 

 once came to the office, and he reported his vessel, stated that he was 

 from the bank bound home, and came in to fill water, and wanted 

 provisions, as follows, viz: 7 pounds of sugar, 3 pounds of coffee, 1 

 bushel of potatoes, and 2 pounds of butter; this was all. I took a 

 memorandum and attached to his inward report, and oil is not men- 

 tioned ; stated that he had plenty of flour, fish, and other provisions 

 sufficient for voyage home. 



I gave him permission to fill water at once ; but as the treaty made 

 no provision for purchase of supplies, I would telegraph the depart- 

 ment at Ottawa, and no doubt it would be allowed. Captain Rose 

 expressed his willingness to remain until a reply was received. He 

 called at the office next morning (Thursday) at 6.30 a. m., and finding 

 I had not received a reply said, as the wind was fair and a good breeze, 

 he would not wait longer and would take a clearance, which I gave 

 him. I told him an answer to telegram would probably be received 

 by 10 a. m. I did not consider it a case of actual distress by any 

 means, as by the master's own statement he had plenty of other pro- 

 visions, and all that he really and actually needed was to fill water. 



The statement that I held his papers, although he asked for them, 

 etc., and that I refused to give them to him until next morning, is all 

 false. He did not ask further until next morning, when he got his 

 clearance. The statement that the treatment he received was harsh 

 and driving him to sea having little w^ater and flour, etc., is all untrue, 

 as what I have already stated will prove. Captain Medeo Rose was 

 here with his vessel on the 23d November last, and entered his vessel 

 and obtained clearance at 8 in the evening ; was here again on the 27th 

 November and remained five days for repairs, and nothing was said 

 by him of the " inhuman conduct " or " harsh treatment " on the part 

 of the collector towards him. 



The above is a plain statement of the facts, and many of the state- 

 ments can be corroborated by the American consul of this port if 

 referred to him. 



I am, etc., W. W. ATWOOD, 



Collector. 



