New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-16
THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES.


W
TOT Editor Of the ~. Y. Tribune:
FRAmiNGHAM, Saturday, August Z, 1852.
The opinion Of the Queens Advocate and
her Majesty's Attorney General, on the queries
submitted by Lord Falkland, is dated Doctor Com
mons 30ih August, 1871. The Convention of 1918
in the minds of these crown lawyers, is u mere
dry, lfeless skeleton. Their construction Of il
il as technical as well be imagined They treat
as they would treat an indictment in criminal
court. But their own comments and conclusions,
are vaguely and careessly stated. For example,
they aver at the outset that they have "the honor
to report that they are of the opinion that the
Treoty of 1888 ros aanuiie,! by the var flsl2;'
clearly implying as the words stand, that we
need Il new acknowledgement of our independence
asa nation, whereas, they doubles meant, that
our fishing rights only were annued by the wa
Of lSl4," and are to be considered as defined and
regulated by the Convention OF 1875" Again
thew say that they are of the opinion that the
term he0diand is used in the Treaty to express
the part OF the land we have before MENTIONED
&c. Now the term headand" is not to be found
in the Trerty in any connection whatever, and
cannot therefore, be used in the sense stated by
these gentlemen. 'Still again; they remark, that
"by the Treaty of 1915 it is agreed that American
citizens should have the liberty Of fishing IN the
Gndf Of 81 IAnrencs pithia certaia defined
limits" Sc. but | am unable to find that that
,culf is 20 much as mentioned in any way, either
10 allow us to enter it, or to exclude us from it,
These three instances, are sufficient to Indicate
the general ooseness of these learned lawyers in
ascertaining and defining the rights of the United
states under the instrument submitted TO them
for Interpretation, cc-pdrte, ant W'taOM drgu-
rqeat: and what is of still more consequence,
without auv practical knowledge on their part, OF
the difference between the cod and herring fish
tnes. or of the different accommodations which
are required IN prosecuting them.
Ourcouutrymen will however be grateful for one
thing. Lord Falkland's sixth query is in these
words "Haye American fishermen the right to
enter the ba, 5 and harbors of this Province Nova
SCOTIA for the purpose OF purchasing wood or
obtajnine water, having provided neither of these
articles al the commencement of their voyages in
then own country or have they the right only of
entering such BAYS and harbOrs IN cases OF distress
asc God and obtain water after the usual
stock Of those articles fer the voyage OF snch hSh
no emit has been exhausted or destroyed 10
tbs pro Ound and humane inquiry, the Queens
Advocate. and her Majesty's Attorney General re-
p,v with oommendible gravity, that, BY the Con-
,ertiou. the liberty OF entering the bays and mar
bors Of Nova. Scotia, for the purpose OF purchasing
wood and OBTAINING water, Is conceded IN general
terms. umcstiictedby any condition expressed OF
imnlie1. Hritng it 10 vessels duly provided at the
commencement Of the voyage; and We are OF
.-;ror that no such condition can be attached to
- erio,,rcnt of the hOcrty.' This whole matter
i,t.o,scetal 10 a man OF Lord fai&land's rank
real worth. Did his LoitshP really believe
tast our fishing vessels ever and under any CIR
cpu,tnuceS. depart from home without wood ana
water, A,a Is il credible on the supPoSitoa
tia, The, tcrr co provide then selves WITH either,
that British Niscount the Governor ct a British
COLONY. aac the husband of the daughter OF
British hrg, 10 the mindle OF the nineteenth cen
tsrv. should ask the high law olnceTS o. the brt'Sh
! Crown the question above written, with view,
e.rts;nl, Of iuhbitng the use %, the harbOFs OF
Nova. Scotia, on receiving favorable answer
Grant th.s TACT implied in its fullest sense. What
then Alms.houses and esNlums are erected
throughout the Christian world, esd wood" and
water" ore furnished to persons who cannot or
will rot provide" for themselves: and even the
murderer il allowed wood IN hi, cell, AND water
upon the scafold and shall not All American
fisherman be allowed the liberty OF " Purchasing
wood ard of" 0btoisin: water, "a the darkest
come, If the most baIberous !aut, ~hate'ef a's
stock OF either on departing ssm an American