Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-24
OFFICIAL.
THE AMERICAN FISHERIES.
FROM THE BOSTON COURIER OF MONDAY.

FROM THE BOSTON COURIER OF MONDAY.
DEPARTMENT STATE
WASHINGTON July 6, 1852.
Information of an official character has been re.
ceived at this Department to the following effect:
The late Ministry of England was opposed to the
granting Of bountes principle, and in consequence
steadily refused give the necessary acts
the Colonial Legislatures granting bountes to the fish
cries The Colonies complained severaly of this inter
ference with their local affairs and they further
planned that the Government declined enforce the pro-
visions Of the Fishery Convention of 1873 and thereby
permitted American fishermen to encroach upon the best
fishing grounds from which, under the legal construction
of the treaty, they ought to be excluded.
"With the recent change of Ministry in England has
occurred entire change of policy The present Score
tary Of State for the Colonies Sir JOHN PAKYGToN
addressed circular letter the Governors of the several
North American Colonies, extract from which is as
follows:
.sDowNING STREET, MAY %, 1852
sAmong the many pressing subjects which have engaged
the attention of her aestys Ministers since their
sumption of Office few have been important in their
estimation than the questions relating to the protection
solicited for the fisheries the coasts of British North
America. sa
4Her Majestys Noverhment have taken into their
serious consideration the upon this subject
contained in your dispatches noted in the Margin and
have failed to observe that whilst active measures
have been taken by certain Colonies for the purpose
encouraging their fisheries and of repen the intrusion
of foreign vessels it has beepa subject of complaint that
impediments should have been offered by the policy Of
the Imperial Government to the enactment of bounes,
considered by the local Legislatures essential for the pro-
lection Of this trade. Her Maestys Ministers desr
removing all grounds OF complaint on the part OF
the Colonies in consequence of the encroachments of the
fishing vessels of the United States upon those waters
from which they excluded by the terms of the Con-
venon Of 1818 and they therefore intend TO dispatch soon
possible small naval force of steamers other small
sells TO enforce the observance of that convention.
This announcement is accompanied by the following,
as to bounties:
"sWith regard to the question of promoting the fish,
of the British colonies by the of bountes her
Msjestys Government although DESTROYS not to sanction
any unnecessary deviation from that policy which regu
laes the of this country still disinclned to
prevent those colonies, by the neposton OF imperial
authority-and especially pending the negotiation with
the United States Of America for the OF the
principles which the commerce with the British North
American colonies is hereafter to be carried on-from
adopting the policy which they may deem most conducive
to their own prosperity and welfare
The vessels of mentioned in the above circular
dispatches expected to be upon the coasts of British
North America during the present month, July, when
no doubt seizures viii begin be made of American fish
ing vessels which in the autumn pursue their business in
ndents of the coast from which is conended they are
excluded by the Convention of 1918.
Mean time and within the last ten days, an Ameri-
can fishing vessel called the Coral" belonging to Ma
chias in Maine has been seized in the Bay of Fundy
near Grand Manan, by the officer commanding her Ma
jestys cutter aNetey already arrived in that Bay for
an alleged nfracton of the fishing convention and the
fishing vessel has been carried to the port of St john
New Brunswick where proceedings have been taken in
the Admiralty Court, with view to her condemnation
and absolute forfeiture.
Besides the small naval force be sent out by the
Imperial Government the colonies are bestirring them
selves also for the protection of their fisheries Canada
has fitted out armed vessel be stationed in the Gulf
and this vessel proceeded the fishing grounds hav
ing on board only naval commander and crew. with
power to seize vessels within limits but also spendiary
magistrate and civil police, make prisoners Of all who
are found ransgressing the laws of Canada in ORDER 70
,be;r he;na jail in that colony for trial
The colony Of Newfoundland has fitted out armed
vessel for the purpose Of resisting the encroschments Of
French fishing vessels the Of Labrador; but,
when ready sail from her port the Governor of that
colony acting under imperial instructions refused give
the commander of this colonial vessel the necessary
thory for making prize of French vessels found espass-
ing This is extraordinary circumstance, especially
when taken in connection with the fact that the like
thority seize American fishing vessels, under similar
circumstances has been refused to the cruisers of
any of the North American colonies
The colony of Nova Scotia has now four armed crus-
wen mhnheu, on coasts,
American vessels which may accidentally otherwise be
found fishing within the limits defined by the crown
officers of England.
New Brunswick has agreed with Canada and Nova
Scotia place cutter in the Bay Of Fundy to look after
American fishermen there and at Prince Edward Islands
her Majestys steam frigate Devastation" has been
placed under the instructions of the Governor Of tina,
colony"
The first article of the Convention between the
United States and Great Britain of the Goth Octo-
Der, 1918, is in these words:
Whereas differences have arisen respecting the ber-
y claimed by United States for the inhabitants thereof
TO take dry and fish on certain coasts bays har-
America it is agreed between the high contracting par
ties that the Inhabitants Of the said United States shall
have forever in with the subjects Of his Britannia
Majesty the liberty to take fish Of every kind that
part of the southern coast Of Newfoundland which
tends from Cape Ray TO the Rameau islands on the west
and northern coast Of said Newfoundland from the
said Cape Ray TO the Qurpon Islands on the shores of
the Magdslen Islands and also the coasts bays har
bors and creeks from Mount Jolly the southern coast
Of Labrador to and through the straits Of Beeise and
thence northwardy indefinitely along the coast without
prejudice however to any Of the exclusive rights OF the
Hudson's Bay Company and that the American fisher
any of the unsettled bays harbors and creeks OF the
southern part Of the coast of Newfoundland here above
described and Of the coast of Labrador but soon
the same any portion thereof shall be settled shall
not be lawful for the said fishermen TO dry FISH
at such portion settled, without previous agree
ent for such purpose with the inhabitants proprieors
or possessors Of the ground And the United States