The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-24

grant for the protection of the fisheries, when we
take into consideration the extent Of the coast oil
Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, which, in the latter
part of the season, is completely lined with Amer
lean vessels, from Cape Gaspe to Cape North.
These vessels, ! have been informed. often fish
within half mile from shore, paying little or no
regard to the limits stated in the National Conven.
ton. In fact, the day which seized the TSbsy
there We're sixty or seventy sail in sight, which
were nearly all within iimits but as those are fast
sailing vessels, if they get the start, and
out Of gunshot, they feel quite secure"
The report further indicates the admitted
difficulty of closely defining the manner in
which portions of the treaty shall be carried
out. IL says: u ~.
"In the convention between the two nations, the
words curing fish and preparing the ish,' it APP
pears to me, require some further explanation. On
the former the American fishermen believe the
object was to prevent them curing or drying cod
fish on shore, as the hook mackerel fshing was not
practced when that convention was made. l have
seen instances where American vessels had been
fishing the whole of the day. and towards evening
q gale springing up. they were forced to run for
harbor with fifty or sixty barrels of fresh mackerel
on deck; and il by sailing those fish ia understood
curing fish, which think is the only way in which
| mackerel can be cured, under those circumstances
these people must cast their fish into the sea again.
or run the rick of having the vessel and cargo
| seized.
"Ihe words preparing to fish may be con-
strued to what they were not intended. When
cruising in the schooner Telegraph last fall, being
In Little Canso, an American vessel lay near Oh.
serving the men busily employed on deck, ]
manned my boat and boarded her; found them
| employed grinding bait for mackerel The cap
! tain appeared quite innocent, and said he had
| been go careful that he had not taken a lobster
while in the harbor. This might be understood
| preparing to fish,"
1t is apparent from these extracts that much
discrimination is needed in determining minor
yet material points, and also that the prac
tees of which the colonial authorities COM
plain are to large extent sanctioned by their
own people.
From another document, emanating from the
same source, we take the following passages,
being portions Of the testimony given before a
parliamentary committee by Mr.. DAVID
BEARS, described as ian old and respectable
inhabitant of Cape Canso." MIR. BEARs's state
ments have the coloring which local interest
and jealousy of active and successful rivals are
likely to impart; bu, still they merit attention,
as presenting the points of what may be called
the colonial case:
Have you been engage in the mac erel fishery
this last year?
Yes; was on board the schooner Cherub this
season, and in the schooner Wilmot last year.
Where did you fish?
The last year fshed around p. E. Island, and
this year at Jestco and Margaree.
Have you had good opportunity Of observing the
practices OF the American fishermen?
Yes, at both periods; l have had, generally,
about two hundred sail of American vessels around
me-
What is their usual tonnage, and what are the
principal advantages they possess over tho Nova
Scotia vessels in taking their fare?
Their tonnage varies from forty to eighty tons;
their principal advantages in the superior sail.
ing qualities of their vessels, and their fitting, with
better variety OF bait 1t is Of the first importance
to have smart weaherly vessel the current and
drift is usually off shore; the fsh always make to
wndward. II you fall quickly to leeward, you
lose the fish; therefore you must be continually
stretching to windward.
Are the American vessels often found within the
limits granted by the treaty,
They are almost always within the limits; thu
could not take any fail fish otherwise. The fab
from September close in shore-say within
Americans 60 close in to raise them, and If the
wind is of shore, drift of; if otherwise. drift along
shore, and take the fish with them, by feeding them
plentifuIly.
Do the American vessels interfere much with our
vessels in taking the fishl
Yes, very much; they offer great opposition. A
common threat among them is to run the Nova
Scotia vessels down. They are usually prepared
for this; their bowspris fitted large and strong
and the end we'll ironed they have double. chain
bobstays, and shrouds we'll bolted and geercd. A
number of them came armed for opposition. have
seen the arms on board of them. These vessels,
with Nova Scotia masters, called white. washed
Yankeep. are generally the worst.
Do you find these vessels often in harbor?
Yes; they harbor regularly every night when
the weather gets unsettled and DAYS shorten, lust
as do.
How do they behave in ha,bor generality
Very rudely; often create great disturbance and
quarrelling. have often heard the more respect.
able Americans that If the people acted on their
coast as they carried on in our harbors. they would
be imprisoned or shot Immediately.
Have you ever seen them dress their fish in our
harborss;s
Yes, frequently; 1t 10 common practice in bad
weather for them 10 do so; indeed have seen them
hard at work dressing feb, at anchor within 100
yards OF the revenue cutter Captain Crowell, with
| a sail hoistcd up n screen,
Do you ever find them trading with the inhabi-
| tants on the shores?
Yes, everywhere; they buy their provisions, veg
etables, behring's, barrels, salt, sc. have known
one man in Canso alone sell them to the extent of
| 400 barrels of herring.
How do they pay for their purchases?
frequently in articles of fishermen or shore PEG
| pc's neceseares-tobacco spirits, clothing boots
and shoes, sometimes money; and often some of
our people return with them to the United States
and settle up any balances.
The seizure of the schooner Coral that took
place last month in the Bay of Fundy, was for
violation of treaty stipulations, having, it is
alleged, been found fishing "within little more
than musket-shot Of the Shore" There is no
connexIon. therefore, between the seizure and
the advancement of Lord DERBY's extravagant
claim.