Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-07
THE FISHERY QUESTION.


The British Provincial papers express much sur
prise at the excitement now existing IN the United
States on this subject. 1t is clear that these jour
nails do not view the matter as it is viewed by
people. The opinion prevalent in this country
that the naval force recently fitted out by order
of the British Government is designed to exclude
American fishermen from the large bays on the
coast of the British territory, or from all tracts
of water comprised within line drawn from head
land to headland. This is according to the inter
probation of the Convention of 1918, given by the
law officers of the Crown, on a formal application
for the same from Lord Palmerston. 1t appears,
however, not to be so regarded in New Brunswick,
if we may judge by the following from the St. John
On. b. Courier of July 3lst:
''The Fishery Dispute to be creating quite as
much sensation in the United States did of yore the
Disputed Boundary, The Oregon Territory and
from the abrupt which the question has been
forced upon the attention of the American public, well
the views which have been hastily taken up
and warmly commented on both by the press and in the
Senate it is quite likely that feeling of irritation may
be excited in the public mind which il may be difficult to
alay
at is generally asserted and believed by the press Of
the United States that the claim attempted be
forced by the cruisers of Great Britain is doubtful
disputed that the question the meaning of
treaty. whether three miles from the shore means thre
miles from the nearest land, three miles from lin,
drawn from headland TO headand along the coast.
Now, although the enforcement Of this latter meaning
has for years past been insisted on by the colonies
interested in the fisheries il is not known that the
Imperial Government has given decision upon the
ter and certainly not TO enforce any such claim that
the present feet of small craft has been cruise
upon the fishing grounds.
"An that these vessels have in charge We believe is
to see that the weunderstood and obvious intentions
the treaty are honestly carried out and in the prosecu-
hat harn
confessedly fishing where they had right be-
within less than mile of the shore.
:" Ii may be said, and indeed il was said by the Hon
Daniel Webster in the address he read his neghbors
Marshfed last week. that notice ought have been
given TO the American Government people before
sorting TO such harsh for enforcing our rights
but il must be recoected that for many years past
have always been British cruisers in the Bay
of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence whose errand it was
to protect the fisheries and If the eutenants and mid
shpmen neglected their Duty and preferred the bathrooms
of ST. John and Halifax TO the fog banks of the Bay
Fundy ought not to be deemed and strange thing
| If the duty is now performed more energetically.
"The idea which to prevail, that the present
demonstration Of energy has been got up with view
force the question of reciprocity between the Colonies
and the United States appears TO have no founda-
ton in fact for this reason that the present Tory Gov
eminent Of Great Britain with which originated the ex
listing activity in the protection Of fisheries has desire
whatever for reciprocal any other trade between the
Colonies and foreign Powers but would much prefer re-
cproca free trade between the Colonies and Mother
Country, and prohibitory tariff against all the rest Of
the world.
elf the present Ministry should be continued in power
and have strength enough carry their policy there
would be end to all negotiations for reciprocity and
think they entirely mistake the matter who imagine
that the present movement originated in any desire TO
bring about closer connexion between the Colonies and
the Union"
In the trial of the case of the American schooner
Coral the following facts appeared
TIL. .lo
chias and sailing under the American Aag was discover
ed by the officers Of the Netey the 10th Of ss
to have been then recently taking fish or near we'll
known fishing ground called {" Longs Eddy" extending
ss haa half mile from the shore Of the North Head Of
the island Of Grand Manan. On being boarded the
schooner's fishing gear found wet and her decks
hold The master did not attempt TO deny the fact Of
having taken fish within the British waters but merely
attempted to paate the offence by saying that he did
consider that he doing any harm by fishing there
and that calm and adverse tide had been the Of
his dropping anchor the shore
The Judge pronounced the schooner her tackle apparel
and furniture with the cargo found board at the time
OF seizure, to be forfeited to her Majesty and in doing
after referring to the Of the Convention Of 18th
October, 1878, the imperial statute So Geo. g. cap s.
and the several adavs produced to the court observed
that In this question to the true con-
strhcton to be put upon the Convention. The vessel
being found within three marine mes-in fact within
half mile Of the shore of Grand Mananin the act of
taxing fish, II not necessary for him TO give opinion
upon the various readings of the Convention which had
been suggested. The owner by declining to claim the
'esse alter being duly cited admitted that he was guilty
Of breach Of the Convention.
The registrar directed to enter the decree OF for
fixture in the usual form.
The vessel sold under the decree on Monday last.
.