[Inclosure.]
Extract from a Minute of the Privy Council of
Canada, dated September 30, 1888.
The minister of marine and fisheries observes that copies of the
correspondence referred to confirm the intimation conveyed by the
above telegram that an order for the postponement of the sale and
permitting the bonding of these vessels at the value already
appraised, had been made by the Department of Justice at Washington,
in compliance with the request of Lord Salisbury.
Subsequent to the receipt of this order, the United States marshal at
Seattle, Wash., informed the Attorney-General for the United States
that the owners of the schooners Anna, Beck,
Grace, and Dolphin claimed that not
only was the appraisement made at Sitka a year previously, excessive
but that the value of the vessels on account of the inclement
climate at Alaska had in the mean time been constantly depreciating,
and they therefore declined to bond them, with the exception of the
Anna Beck, at such appraisement, but
requested a new appraisement, and stated that if a new appraisement
was not allowed the owner desired the sale should proceed.
It further appears from the same communication, that in the case of
one of the vessels, the Anna Beck, the owner
is willing to furnish satisfactory bonds, at the value already
appraised, if this can be done, subject to a final settlement of the
matter, and without necessitating an appeal to the Supreme Court of
the United States.
The minister further observes that, touching the question of
excessive appraisement, the United States marshal states as follows:
“Having myself a practical knowledge of the value of such property,
I fully coincide with the claimant, that the valuation put on the
schooners Grate and Dolphin was excessive.”
