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

~1S~N-~~A~~S 70
the entrance of the bays. The former expression u
any thing, that from headiand 70 neadand
along any coast however straight ana however
such may be- resting upon the broad ocean
line NAV be drawn and exclusive jurisdiction claimed
within it. This is more than the Nova Sconans asked
and more than the law officers Of the ngsh crown could
give Ii Is The Bay Of Fundy snot named
specifically in this opinion but it was evidently intended
to embrace it, Now this bay not within the exclusive
dominion of England part the coast belongs Maine
and il has marked entrance nor any distinct
on the sde being almost straight line both
in Maine and New Brunswick 1t wants all the charac-
teriscs of bay as defined in this opinion 1t in fact
an open, exposed arm Of the ocean, running along the
coast of Maine than hundred miles Geographer
consider Bay of Fundy separated from the Atlantic
ocean by lnefrom Cape Sable the southern of
Nova Scotia the islands in the Penobscot bay and in
the discussions respecting northeastern boundary it
was contended the part of England that the rivers
Of Penobscot bay all empted the Bay Of Fusdy This
diagonal line would be little short Of hundred miles
in length tits impossible to be definite in such an in
qpry; but these facts indicate the great extent of this
oceanic ndentaton, and how far 1t is from being shell
tered sheet Of water separated from the and pro-
teced from by marked projecting headlands 1t
ages probably about fifty miles in width, and includes
within its circuit bays such Penobscot bay
Frenchmans bay, Passamaquoddy bay and Machias bay
in Name and the bay of Mnges, Chgneco bay, and bay
Nortex in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick together with
several Others Such expanse OF water is geographic
cally and politically part Of the Atlantic
But sir this is strange way of settling great nerna
tona questions of jurisdiction by referring them the
u
tions involve the most important delicate points of
foreign intercourse and should be the subject negoia
tion of legal reference. We thus arrive, what
the British authorities consider the Of
fishermen, and for which they have recently made
provision No doubt occasional nractons of the treaty
occur which the ordinary force Ia those regions
peten prevent to punish No defends such acts
will Government make any reclamation in relation
them But the complaint Of throwing out oifal and
furnishing bait to the fish, and other grievances of SINH
lar nature rather small matters to become the subject
of controversy between two great nations If the British
coonists would initiate the industry, and SKILL and
terprse Of fishermen it would be far better for them
than these eternal complaints because neghborng peo-
pie seek to obtain portion of that benehcent bounty
which is offered to the human Their proximity to
the places Of fishing and their possession of the whole
would give them advantages which ought to
their superior success if they would put their shoulders
the Wheel instead of calling for help the At
lantic And besides, the rigid pursuit of this object
where fishermen concerned is in singular and
friendly contrast with the conduct of the British Govern
ment toward the French and Dutch fishermen even in
time of The former is marked with spirit ap-
preaching persecution while the latter is characterized
by just moderation.
There also decided contrast between the force
employed and the force called out upon former and SINH
lar occasions. In 1917 vessel only--the Dee-was
ordered upon this kind of service when strong
strances were made by the colonies.
In 1886 Lord Glenelg informed the Governor of Nova
Scotia in to his representations that the British
minister at Washington had been instructed ask the
friendly cooperation of the American Government, and
that small vessel would be to Nova Scotia and
another to Prince Edwards Islands" But times have
changed Whether the change is 90 remains be
Certainly just comfy would have dictated a
similar guarded under existing circumstances.
Here is active, powerful squadron close shores
and in waters where we have deep interest, and to
this day Government learns nothing of the real de-
signs of that of England We barren generaities
leading to useful results and report tells that
seizures are daily making and that many more are an
ticipated.
have no doubt but that some of the Senators from
the Eastern States will give the Senate full satist
cal details Of this important branch of national industry
have been struck with its magnitude from statement
recently made in the papers and which represents that
have 10000 seamen, among the best in the world
and 1000 vessels engaged in the various branches Of
the fisheries This is interest that just Govern
ment neglect, and that would expose to the
severest apprehension of the American people should
neglect it,
The Gut of Canso which is the passage from the
main ocean to the Gulf of st. Lawrence, and which
avoids long detour round the island Cape Breton
also to be shut to is that great gulf ITSELF if the
decision Of the law officers Of England is to be carried
into effect This pretenson opens of the grayest
maritime questions to narrow communications between
various of the and to the right of jurisdiction
large expansions of the ocean. shall leave them
for other inquirers
There episodes, if may so term them in this
drama, which deserve a brief remark.
The first is the declaration of Lord Stanley Lord
Derby and the head Of the British Ministry in 1852, in
letter TO the Governor of Nova Scotia, acknowledging
the receipt of the stated for the consideration Of the
Advocate and Attorney General and transmitting the de-
cision of those officers The whole subject then be-
tore him, and he thus communicates the determination
Of the British Government:
I'VE have however, to the conclusion, regards the
fisheries of Nova Scotia that the precautions taken by the
Provincial Legislature appear adequate (aludng to the law
before referred y and that such being practically
guessed in by the Americans, further measures re-
CURED
Now, this is significant enough. The home Govern
refuses endorse the exorbtant demands Of the
Colonies fortified they by high legal opin
IONS and puts the whole upon the question of the
practical acquescence Of the Americans. Now no one
will contend that at any tmethen, before, since
did Government citizens practically virtually
in any other acknowledge this pretenson to
exclude from the great bays Of that region and of
such claim is actually surrendered by the terms of the
declaration. The second is found in the adj
mission Of Lord Aberdeen Mr. Everett that the Bay Of
Fundy would not be shut TO and distinctly in
the despatch Of Lord Stanley to the Governor of Nova
Scotia. Here ii is:
To Sir William Coie5root
DowSSe STREET, MARCH 30, lS45
SIRE have the honor to acquaint you for your nforma
ton and guidance that her Maesy Government have bad
under their consideration the claim Of the Of the Uni
ted States fsh in the Bay Of Fundya claim which has
hitherto been resisted the ground that that bay included
within the British possessions.
Her Majessys Government feel satisfied that the Bay
Fundy has been rightly claimed by Great Britain bay
within the treaty Of 1875 but they conceive that the reaxa
ton Of the exercise Of that light viii be attended with muua
advantage both countrco the United States confer
ring material benefit the fishing trade and TO Great B
tain and the United States conformity and equally by the
moval Of fertile Of disagreement between them
has accordingly been announced the United States Govern
men that American citizens would henceforward be allowed
to fish In of the Bay f Fundy provided they not