Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-10-02

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American government, in relation to the
fishing grounds on the American coast, is
thus stated by Mr.. Webster, Secretary Of
State.
STATE DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,
July 6, 1852.
The vessels Of war mentioned above are
expected to be upon the coast Of British
North America during the present month
(July,) when, no doubt seizures will begin
to be made of American fishing vessels, which
IN the autumn, pursue their business in in-
dents of the coast, from which it is contended
they are excluded by the Convention OF
1918.
Meantime, and within the last ten days, an
American fishing We ssel called the Coral, be-
longing to Machias, in Maine, has been
seized in the Bay of Fundy, near Grand
Menan, by the officer commanding Her Ma
iesty's cutter Netley, already arrived in that
Bay, for an alledged infracton OF the Fish
ing Convention, and the fishing vessel has
been carried to the port of St. John, N. B.,
where proceedings have been taken in the
Admiralty Court with view to her condem-
nation and absolute forfeiture. Besides the
small naval force TO be sent out by the I'm
perial Government the Colonies are bestir-
ring themselves also for the protection of
their fisheries. Canada has fitted out an
armed vessel to be stationed in the Gulf, and
this vessel has proceeded to the fishing
grounds, having on board not only naval
commander and crew, with power to seize
vessels within the limits, but also a stipenda-
ry magistrate and civil police to make prs-
oil ,hn III
laws Of Canada, in order to their being COM
mitted to Jail in that Colony for trial. The
Colony of Newfoundland has fitted out an
armed vessel for the purpose of resisting the
encroachments of French fishing vessels on
the coast of Labrador, but when ready to sail
from her port, the Governor of that Colony,
acting under imperial instructions, refused to
give the commander Of this colonial vessel
the necessary authority for making prize Of
French vessels found trespassing. This is
an extraordinary circumstance, especially
when taken in connexion with the fact that
the like authority to seize american fishing
vessels, under similar circumstances, has
never been refused to the cruisers Of any of
the North American Colonies. The Colony
of Nova Scotia has now four armed cruisers,
well manned, on its coasts, ready to pOunce
upon any American vessels which may ac-
cidentally, or otherwise, be found fishing
within the limits defined by the Crown Off
GERS of England. New Brunswick has
agreed with Canada and Nova Scotia, to
place a cutter in the Bay of Fundy, 10 look
after American fishermen there and at Prince
Edward Island, and Her Majestv's steam
frigate Devastation has been placed under
the instruction of the Governor Of that Colo
ny.-The first article Of the Convention be-
of the Doth October, 1918, is in these words:
Whereas, differences have arisen respect
ing the liberty claimed by the United States
for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, and
cure fish on certain coasts, bays, harbors
and creeks of His Britannia Majesty's do
minions in America, it is agreed between the
high contracting parties that the inhabitants
of the said United States shall have forever,
in common with the subjects of His Britain
mic Majesty, the liberty to take fish of every
kind on that part of the Southern Coast of
Newfoundland which extends from Cape Ray
to the Quirpon Islands, on the shores Of the
Magdalen Island, and also, on the coasts.
bays, harbors and creeks from Mount Jolly,
on the southern coast Of Labrador, to and
through the straits of Belle-Isle, and thence
northwardIy indefinitely along the coast
without prejudice, however, 10 any OF the
exclusive rights of the Hudson's Bay Com
pany : and that the American fishermen shall
also have liberty, forever, to dry and cure
fish in any .ofthe unsettled bays. barboos and
creeks of the Southern coast of Labrador
but so soon as the same, or any portion
thereof, shall be settled, it shall not be law
full for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish
at such portion so settled without previous
agreement for such purpose with the inhabi-
tantS, proprIetors or possessors OF the
ground And the United States hereby rel
nounce forever any liberty therefore, enjoyed
or claimed by the inhabitants thereof to take.
dry or cure fish on or within three marine
miles Of any coasts, bays, creeks or harbors
of His Britannia Majesiy's dominions in Am
erica not included within the above mention
ed limits. Prorided, however, that the Am
erican fishermen shall be admitted to enter
such bays or harbors for the purpose of shell
ter, and of repairing damages therein, of
purchasing wood and Of obtaining water, and
for no other purpose whatever. But they
shall be under such restrictions as may be |
necessary to prevent their taking, drying or
curing fish therein, or in any other manner
whatever, abusing the privileges hereby re-
served to them"
1t would appear that by strict and rigid
of this article, fishing vessels Of
the United States-are precluded from enter
ing into bays or harbors of the British Pro-
vinces, except for the purpose of shelter, re-
pairing damages, and obtaining wood and
water. A bay, as is usually understood, is
an arm or recess of the sea, entering from
The ocean between capes or headlands. and
The term is applied equally to small and large
tracts of water thus situated II is common
10 speak Of Hudson's Bay or the Bay of Bis
cay, although they are very large tracts Of
water. The British authorities insist that
ENGLAND has a right TO draw a line from