Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-31
THE FISHERIES.

We observe that many papers speak of the recent
difficulties in reference to our fisheries as though
thew were something new; as though the Govern
ment Of Great Britain had recently assumed new
ground on that subject But to those who have fol-
lowed the history of this matter it most be fresh in
their recollection that seizures have eretoforc been
made by the British Government fer alleged viola
tons of the treaty of. 1918 between the two coun-
tries. A fishing vessel by the name of the Wash
ington was seized in the Bay Of Fundy some ten
years ago; and it was on the discussions that grew
out of that seizure that the Government Of Great
Britain SO far relaxed it's rights under the treaty
to permit our fishermen to pursue their vocation in
the Bay Of Fundy, provided that they did not 60
within three miles of the shore on either side.
About the same time the Argus was seized on the
northeast coast Of the island Of Cape Breton, and
tried and con6scated And THIS claim to exclusive
jurisdiction, according to their construction of the
treaty, has always been insisted on by Great Britain
though not always enforced.
Nor has the present proceeding by the British
authorities been SO sudden, or go entirely without
notice, as seems to be supposed We are informed
upon the best authority, that about theiT7th Of
this month the Minister Of Great Britain notified
our Government that measures had been adopted by
the British Government to prevent the repetition Of
the complaints which had SO frequently been made
of the encroachments of vessels belonging to citi-
zens of the United States and of France upon the
fishing grounds reserved to Great Britain by the
convention Of 1885, that urgent representations
had been addressed to the Government of Great
Britain by the Governors Of the British North Anne
rican Provinces in regard to those encroachments to
the effect that the Colonial Fisheries were most
seriously prejudced; and that directions had been
given by the Lords of the Admiralty for stationing
off New Brunswick Nova Scotia, Prince Edwards
Island, and in the Gulf of st. Lawrence, such q
force of small sailing vessels and steamers as should
be deemed sufficient to prevent further infractions
of the treaty.
/. The Minister of Great Britain at the same time
also informed our Government that it was the com.
mand of his Government that the officers employed
upon this service should be specially enjoined tc
avoid all interference with vessels of friendly Powers
except when they were in the act of violating exist
ing treaties; and on all occasions to avoid giving
ground of complaint by the adoption of harsh OF
unnecessary proceedings where circumstances com.
PEELED the arrest or seizure of such vessels.
We have reason to believe that orders have been
given for sending into those regions one of our best
vessels, commanded by one of the most experienced
naval officers, well for the protection of sea-
men against any molestation that may be attempted
contrary to existing treaties to inquire into any
abuses that may have grown up on either side, and
to inform our fishermen of their rights, and warn
them against any attempt at invasion of the rights
of others.