Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-06-04

secret lmpeulineniS WHICH thty bdFe SVioJ
in the seine births, to the entire ruin of
fishermen, and to stake and float their nets,
to the hindrance Of the passage of fish,
This view alone, shows the absurdity of
the idea II is free for specified purposes
only. tits free for navigation & commerce;
and it is free to the owners and occuplers
of the shores to take fish opposite their lan'-
ings. The sixth and seventh articles OF the
compact between the states of Virginia and
Maryland clearly illustrate this Art. s.
The river Potomac shall be considered as
common highway for the purpose OF na-
rigation and commerce to the citizens OF
Virginia and Maryland, and if the United
States. sc. Thus the purposes for which
the river shall be free are plainly pointed
out. Art. 7th. The citizens OF each state
respectively shall have full property in the
shores of the Potomac river, with the emo
luments and advantages thereto belonging.
But the right of fishing in the river shall he
common to, and equally enjoyed, by the
citizens Of both states; provided that such
common right be not exercised by the citi-
zens of one state to the hindrdnce or distur-
bancs of the fisheries of the shores of the
other state.' What can be more explicit
than these words they are as clear as noon
| day sunshine. Who now shall say that ten
thousand fathoms of gill nets, staked at
narrow passage in the river, is not fishing
to the hindrance, disturbance and ruin OF
the shores of Maryland and Virginia p
The logic of your correspondent is equally
incorrect will, respect to licenses. They
are issued under the authority OF tine laws
of the United States, and refer solely to the
taking and curing fish on the GRAND Bank
and coast of Newfoundland. Unless state
sovereignties are destroyed, the u. States
can grant no licenses to vessels to fish with.
in the jurisdiction of any of the states.-
Many Of the eastern states prohibit their
own citizens fishing after particular SEA-
SONS. Can then vessel under her license
fish in violation Of state regulation Ger.
tainly not. 1t is also of material conse.
quence to the Inhabitants of Virginia and
Maryland, and the citizens of the district
Of Columbia, who take the shai. 1t is of
material consequence to the manufacturers
and importers of Irvine, cordage, tar and
salt to Iaborers, coopers, ship carpenters;
to farmers, and to the poor. When caught
by those picca-oons, the gill-net-men, they
are transported to distance from our
shores, perhaps to Boston or New Orleans;
when by seine owners, this blessing OF
providence is distributed among the indus
trious population of our agricultural, conn-
try, in exchange for the productions OF their
labor. thus creating reciprocity of bene.
fit, which in the other event we are entire
ly deprived OF. II is no proof OF the album
dance of shad that they sold low; that,
with greater business, may be traced TO
another source, the great and unusual pres
sure OF the times, growing out Of the rag
establishments which infpst the country,
and that mammoth of iniquity, the national
bank.
The citizens of Maryland once claimed
the right of fishing on the Virginia shores
of the Potomac Johnny GLADDEN. attempt
ed it, and made a ghost of him, which
opened the eyes of the states of Maryland
and Virginia, and induced them to form
and ratify the compact Of 1886. If can
infuse my spirit into the fishermen of the
present day, more ghosts shall vanish into
airy nothing, and the states Aforesaid re-
greet they did not protect the property OF
their citizens, ami prevent the effusion OF
blood. CAPTAIN POSEY'S GHOST.
From The Baltimore Fedora! Republican. Of
June /.
FOREIGN NEWS.
LATEST FROM ENGLAND.
BY the ship Mohawk, Capt. Birch, in "a
day. from Liverpool, we have been polite
ly favored by Hugh Boyle, Esq. owner, the
captain, and commercial friends, with re-
gular London and Liverpool files TO the Gath
April, inclusive. The principal articles we
give hasly sketch Of. There is nothing
important.
London, .4pril, l6
Yesterday was settling day at the Stock
Exchange. Notwithstanding the recent
fluctuations in the Funds, we have not heard