Edw’d Thornton to To the Hon. William M. Evarts, January 23, 1879

No. 214. Sir Edward Thornton to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: With reference to your note of the 20th of November last, I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a dispatch, and of its inclosures, which I have received from the governor-general of Canada relative to the forcible removal of the American steamtug Crusader from Fairport, Dhio, to Sarnia, in Canada.

I have the honor, &c.,

Governor-General Lorne to Sir Edward Thornton.

Sir: With reference to your dispatch No. 58, of the 21st November, addressed to General Sir Patrick McDougall, inclosing a copy of a note from the Secretary of State of the United States complaining of the forcible removal of the American steamtug Crusader from a United States port, when in charge of officers of justice, and carried be Port Sarnia, Ontario, I have the honor of transmitting to you herewith, for the information of the United States Government, a copy of an approved report of the privy council on the subject, to which is appended a copy of a report of the collector of customs at Sarnia, who was instructed to make full inquiries into the circumstances of the case.

I have the honor, &c.,

Copy of a report of a committee of the honorable the privy council for Canada, approved by his excellency the governor-general on the 17th January, 1879.

On a report, dated January 9, 1879, from the honorable the minister of justice, having reference to the dispatch from Sir Edward Thornton, dated November 21, 1878, relating to the American steam tug Crusader, alleged to have been taken by force in a United States port from the officers of justice, in whose hands it was, and carried to Port Sarnia, in Ontario.

The minister reports that, in pursuance to a request made in that behalf, the collector of customs at Sarnia made inquiry into the circumstances of the case, and on the 7th instant reported the result of this inquiry to the commissioner of customs here. The minister recommends that a copy of the collector’s report be transmitted to Sir Edward Thornton for the information of the United States Government, and he thinks Sir Edward Thornton should be informed that this government presumes that, in view of the statements contained in that report, further action in the matter is unnecessary.

The committee concur in the foregoing minute, and recommend that a copy thereof be transmitted to Sir Edward Thornton.

Certified.