Mr. Adee to Mr.
Herbert.
Department of State,
Washington, July 6,
1892.
Dear Mr. Herbert:
Your official note of yesterday has been received relative to reciprocal
wrecking and salvage privileges in the waters conterminous to the United
States and the Dominion of Canada. The act of Congress of May 21, 1890
(a copy of which I send yon) provides that it “shall be construed to
apply to the Welland Canal, the canal and improvements of the waters
between Lake Erie and Lake Huron and to the waters of the St. Mary’s
river and canal.”
Will you kindly inform me whether the Government of the Dominion
construes its act of May 10, 1892, to cover the canals and waters in
question so far as they lie within its territory? If it does I see no
reason why the necessary proclamations can not be issued at an early
date. It would seem to be desirable to provide that the President’s
proclamation and that of the Governor-General of Canada should be issued
simultaneously.
The President is to be away for a few days, but I think it would be
possible to issue our proclamation sometime the latter part of next
week.
Very sincerely, yours,
[Public—No. 131.]
AN ACT to amend an act entitled “An act to aid
vessels wrecked or disabled in the waters conterminous to the United
States and the Dominion of Canada,” approved June nineteenth,
eighteen hundred and seventy-eight.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, That an act entitled “An act to aid vessels
wrecked or disabled in the waters conterminous to the United States
and the Dominion of Canada,” approved June nineteenth, eighteen
hundred and seventy-eight, be, and the same is hereby, amended so
that the same will read as follows:
“That Canadian vessels and wrecking appurtenance may render aid and
assistance to Canadian or other vessels and property wrecked,
disabled, or in distress in the waters of the United States
contiguous to the Dominion of Canada: Provided, That this act, shall not take effect until
proclamation by the President of the United States that the
privilege of aiding American or other vessels and property wrecked,
disabled, or in distress in Canadian waters contiguous to the United
States has been extended by the Government of the Dominion of Canada
to American vessels and wrecking appliances of all descriptions.
This act shall be construed to apply to the Welland Canal, the canal
and improvement of the waters between Lake Erie and Lake Huron, and
to the waters of the St. Mary’s River and canal: And provided further, That this act shall cease to be in
force, from and after the date of the proclamation of the President
of the United States to the effect that said reciprocal privilege
has been withdrawn, revoked, or rendered inoperative by the said
Government of the Dominion of Canada.”
