The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-16 00:00:00

NORTH AMERICAN FISHERIES.
(From the Portsmouth Times and Naval Gar.tro.)
The North American Fisheries question is the en-
grossing topic in maritime circles. Jonathan has begun
to bluster, and the British lion zecnas very much inclined
to raise his mane. Thanks to an energetic Home Go-
vernment, and an Admiral fully up to the work of pre-
serving the character and dignity of the nation he re-
presents in the disturbed waters, we do not think we
shall be bullied into concessions which this country ought
not to make, or accept negotiations unworthy of the
mother country. The origin of the quarrel we have
given elsewhere, and also the American Secretary of
State's inflammatory and bombastic speech, which
doubtlessly was and is admirably calculated to achieve
the object apparently desired by the United States Go-
vernment, viz.' the " annexation" of all the fisheries of
the Britishers bordering upon their presumed territory.
But Earl Derby ashore, and Vice-Admiral Sir George
Seymour afloat, will, we trust be found by
" Yankee Doodle" more than a match for him
this time. We do not think the farce of the
Oregon dispute will be enacted with a Derby-Northum-
berland Admininistration. Right well we remember
the vigorous manner Sir George Seymour prcceeded to
negotiations with the (so-called) French Protectorate
over poor roman at Tahiti in 1845:—He went in the
Basilisk steamer, leaving his noble two-decker Colling-
wood, 80, cleared for action, double shotte3, oft th
mouth of the settlement, with orders to open upon the
place if he did not return in a given time. Of course
Messieurs the French protectors (?).thoroughly under
stcod the character anda negotiation bewun in so unmis-
takable a manner, satisfied Sir George as to their
intentions" towards the lady.
We doubt not but Sir George will exhibit the same
courage and determination in the North American waters
as he did in the South. In the meanwhile he should be
reinforced without a moment's delay. His squadron at
present is mach too light to offer any powerful length-
teongeedthopposition t taosshuechcaanfowricte ass Jonathan
intent. T
han
isg ettinhge
squadron under the command of Sir George Seymour on
the West Indian and North American station combined,
is only (according to the statement published last
week by the United Service Gazette) the following:—
Cumberland, 70 guns, 600 men
(flag)—Captain G. F.
Seymour.
Alarm, 26 guns, 230 men—Captain G. Ramsay.
Calypso, 1R
-- guns, 195 men—Captain A. Forbes.
Sappho, 12 guns, 120 men—Com. Hon. S. Cochrane.
Persian. 12 guns, 125 men—Com. Mitchell.
Bermuda, 3 guns, 44 men—Lieutenant A. D. Jolly.
Netley, 3 guns, 25 men.

STEAMERS.
Devastation, 6 guns, .160 men, 400-horse power--Com•
C. Y. Campbell.
Rosamond, 6 guns, 160 men, 375-horse power—COM F.
A. Campbell.
Buzzard, 8 guns, 'l6O men, 409-horse power—Corn.
Dobbie.
Basilisk, 8 guns, 160 men, 400-horse power—Cora. Hon.
F. Egerton.
Alban, 2 guns, 32 men, 200-horse power—Lieutenant
Cranford,
Kite, 3 guns, 25 men, 170-horse power.
Which, together with the Imaum, stationary receiving
hulk at Port Royal, make a total force (irrespective of
the colonial armed tenders) of 13 ships, mounting 179
guns, and manned by about 2,000 men—half of the sea-
going force being steamers; and he will shortly be re-
inforced by the Vestal, 26, Captain C. B. Hamilton, with
230 men.
Now, in the United States, we learn by the latest ad-
vices received this week, the fishery excitement is ex-
tending, and the new Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Ken-
nedy, of Baltimore, has started all their navy-yards and
arsenalsinto activity. A powerful force is preparing
theiro th their
ys largest
T h
forf the north-eastern coast, and in a short time several
eraenids no moatsu bjeecffi subject
efficient
wt shtiecahmtehres
will
are so sensitive as their fisheri •and
of the Times, writing from N es, a correspondent
aewk York on the 21st ult.,
says—" I confess that, with
exas-
perated state of feeling along thenowcledge of the
throughout the British provinces, a
danat, frontier and
of the policy which the Presidet and
Cabinethuowledge also
determined to carry out—l confess that Imentert . are
h
most serious apprehension of the final results.ain
On;
Government expects a collision. Of this fact there is
no doubt."
This latter opinion seems to be the prevalent one here
as well as in New York, and will be more firmly esta-
blished by the news from New York to the 31st ult.,
which arrived by the Humboldt off Cowes on Thursday
morning last, viz., that two more American fishirg
sloops had been seized by the English cruisers. sir
George Seymour was fitting out four vessels as men of
war at St. John's, to reinforce his squadron of thirteen
vessels, then cruizing on the ground of dispute. On
the American part the expedition fitting . out for Japan
had been ordered to the scene of the dispute, and the
steam-frigate Mississippi, Commodore Perry, was then
coaling for the same destination at New York.
We have happily at hand two powerful and well-
equipped squadrons which, in the event of their services
being required, it would be well for the Government to
victual and send in the direction of the scene of action,
viz.—Rear-Admiral Corry's squadron. and Captain Ro-
binson's ; comprising together the Prince Regent, 90,
' Rodney, 92, Phmton. 50, Arethusa, 50, Arrogant, 46,
Dauntless, 24, Ilighflyer, 21, and Encounter, 14.
Let us not be caught unprepared, but enable the Bri-
tish Admiral to show fight, whether matters run to that
length or Lot. It is evident the Americans are prepar-
ing for such a contingency.