Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-11
Faont the National ADVOCATE.
THE FLSHERIES.

We published in our last memorial from
the British merchants and Others interested; in
the fisheries Of Newfoundland to admire, Keats
which we desire our readers again to refer to
will, view to the subject of this article, They
will find, that 1T confirms the fact, that efforts
are making in the British empire to induce the
government, under the ;nfiue.sse os ti.cir ;,rcc
sent inflated feelings, t. insist upon the United
States abandoning the right. to fish upon the
banks of Newfoundland. AS well might they
insist that we should abandon independence it.
self, as ask US to concede this important right
and interest, which is interviewer with the
saews ofour very existence as ANA time DOW
err and commercial people. But we dare say,
that the eastern states viii be told "by the
mercenary minions of British influence" that e.
ven this object IS not worth ccntending for with
arms, and that they ought not to think of con.
testing the exercise of the British g sovereign.
ty ofthe seas" Gas it is called in the me morial)
IN this particular. But viii tfey listen to this
advice VIII they, wh9 would not fight for
the rights Of their seanen--for tlleir shipping
interesis--and for the carrying trade, will they
also refuse TO fight for this rich aud inexhaust-
loie SQUIRE OF subsistence, which the God of
nature, IN bis Infinite bounty, has provided for
the whole human race Viii they, who would
not defend their :" farms upon sthe ocean," de-
fend this mine ofwealtil 7 whitley, who would
not wage war for seamen's rights, defend this
"
bred who have snatched TIE trident OF Neptune
fromtilc boosted sovereign of the seasl
But whether they would or not, we should be
glad to know with what propriety they can ask
the middle, southern and western states to con.
tinue the war for their fisheriesl True it is.
that the right 10 those fisheries is one OF the
glorious trophies Of the war of the revolution.
the fruit OF common toll and dangers. True it
is, that Mr.. Jefferson was the author of the
bounties paid out of the United States treasury
to encourage those fisheries. True it is, tn at
they are OF as much importance to the eastern
states as is the navigation of the Mississippi to
the western. But tie middle, southern, and
western states have no local interests in them
1t is only as nursery Of seamen that they at
tach any value to them-and, we're they TO act
upon the same unnatural principles which in
huence the infatuated men who rule the eastern
states, they would say to Britain--Gvc us Up.
per Canada, and you shall have the fisheries.-
| But such wall not he their language-- .uch will
| not be their Conduct they are too generous,
liberal minded and patriotic, TO copy an exam
pie SO fatal TO the fituge peace and stability Of
the union. They will save the eastern states
| from Z" their worst enemies, themselves"
They will secure to them the fisberies---the inn
! munity OF their seanen from impressmcnt at
the arbitrary viii and pleasure Of British nav al
ofhcers-ther carrying trade from spoliaton
| and their general commerce from orders i'm
| council aad fictitious biockades.
| 1t is true, as stated in this memorial, that the
British " existence, as great and independent
| nation, depends upon their dominion on the o.
cean, and the wise policy Of shutting out the
| nations now engaged in war against them, from
future participation in so important branch
OF their commerce as their fisheries" so, like.
wise, 1T is true, that the greatness and ntepen.
dence of these nations, depend upon their par
ticiPating in this branch Of commerce. The
right OF France and the United States to the
fisheries is cngrafted into the public law OF the
worid--that of the former is recognized in eve.
ry treaty from the treaty Of Utrecht down to the
present times and that oft!,e latter was recog.
nized in the same treaty with Our independence.
y can never be yielded up, without the sscri-
nee OF every attribute OF that Independence
lifts enjoyment cannot be conciliated with the
British existence, rs great and independent