No. 52.
Mr. Jenks to Mr. Bayard.
Department of Justice,
Washington, September 3,
1888. (Received September 4.)
Sir: I have the honor to send you copies of
letters of the 23d and 25th ultimo from Mr. Atkins, United States
marshal for the district of Alaska, and to ask for an expression of your
views upon the propriety of an immediate sale of the vessels mentioned
by the marshal on consideration of the statements he makes in relation
to them.
Very respectfully,
G. A. Jenks,
Acting Attorney-General.
[Inclosure No. 1.]
Mr. Atkins to
Mr. Garland.
District of Washington Territory,
Office of the
United States Marshal,
Seattle, Wash., August 23, 1888.
Sir; In reference to the four condemned
British vessels now in my custody, I have the honor to report:
That the owner of the schooners Anna Beck,
Grace, and Dolphin claims that the
appraisement made at Sitka one year ago was at the time excessive,
and that their value, on account of the inclement climate of Alaska,
has in the meantime been constantly depreciating, and therefore
declines to bond them at such appraisement, but requests a new
appraisement, which, if not granted, they desire the sale to
proceed. The owner says, however, that he will furnish satisfactory
bonds for the schooner Anna Beck at her
present appraised value if it can be effected, subject to a final
settlement of the matter, and without the expense of an appeal to
the Supreme Court.
Having myself a practical knowledge of the value of such property, I
fully coincide with the claimant that the valuation put on the
schooners Grace and Dolphin at Sitka was excessive.
The schooner Ada is owned and registered at
Shanghai, China, and her owner, whoever he may be, has not as yet
made claim or appearance.
In the meantime the vessels are remote from my district, thus greatly
increasing the responsibility of their safe custody, and the expense
thereof constantly increasing.
I desire to be instructed, in case vessels are not soon sold or
bonded, what further action to take in reference to returning to my
district and leaving the vessels in charge of a special deputy.
Very respectfully,
Barton Atkins,
United States Marshal.
[Inclosure No. 2.]
Mr. Atkins to
Mr. Garland.
District of Alaska,
Office of United States
Marshal,
Portland
Oregon, August 25,
1888.
Sir: In view of the present situation
relative to the British vessels in my custody, now moored at Port
Townsend, W. T., I beg leave to state as follows:
That all of said vessels, owing to the length of time they have been
out of commission, are in a dilapidated condition, and that their
depreciation in value is constant and rapid.
That they are small in size, the combined tonnage of the four being
only 249 tons.
That the owner of the Anna Beck, Grace, and
Dolphin, Capt. J. D. Warren, of Victoria,
B. C., has notified me that he prefers that the Grace and Dolphin should be sold
without further delay, and the Anna Beck
also, unless he can bond that vessel without instituting an appeal
to the Supreme Court or making a journey to Sitka for that
purpose.
That if longer held in custody they will have to be removed from Port
Townsend to some place secure from the fall and winter winds for
permanent moorings. All of which will be attended by much greater
expense comparatively than has heretofore been required for their
safe custody.
I do not hesitate to recommend, in interest of all concerned, that
the vessels, if not bonded, should be sold without delay.
It is my purpose soon to repair to Port Townsend, there to await
Department orders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Barton Atkins,
United States Marshal.
