493
has been received. In reply I have to state that the laws of the United states make ample provision for the regulation and protection of the
of the Unit States, and
Seamen
for the settlement of all disputes
which
arise between the may masters and Crews of American vessels before Consuls of the United States, carefully reserving at the same time to the parties, all the rights and remedies that are secured to them by law through the Courto of the United States.
Regulations similar in character for the Government and police of their merchant marine are
established by the Government of -Great Britain, and indeed by the governments of most, if not all
commercial nations, and this
never
government has
failed to recoguire the effective beneficence of such domestic regulations, in promoting discipline, order and good government on vessels engaged in the merchant service. They rest
principles of convenience, international comity and well settled rules of public law. The claim of jurisdiction made by the. local common law Courts of Great Britain and particularly by the
Colonial tribunals is con