The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-31
Vlfcount PALMERsroN, X. b., sc. SC.
The Goldfish and HIackereI NIisunder-
standing.

There be no better period than the present
for endeavoring to settle the question relative to the
fisheries on the northeastern coast of this continent
The United States government will never be in
better position to arbtratc, either through diplo-
macy or gunpowder. This long delayed contro-
versy should be disposed Of so that our hardy sons
Of the rocky bound coast whose lives devoted to
the employment offshing, may pursue their avoca-
tions without the least fear Of arrest mocs tation
As late as the spring Of the year 1882 several of
our fishermen arrested upon the alleged charge
of entering the British forbidden waters. On that
occasion the United States revenue cutter Hamil-
ton, under command Of Capt. Sturgs, was des-
patched under orders Of the Secretary ofthe Treasury
to proceed thither and make inquiry into the
of tho capture of several fishing vessels. Colonel
Barnes then Naval Officer of Boston, accompanied
the cutter, which proceeded to Yarmouth, N S.,
cruised up the bay of Fundy and around several Of
its islands. The cutter was absent from Boston
some ten days, and returned with the information
that several persons and vessels had been seized
but that the Court of Admiralty would probably
release them, as their seizure and detention was
made without sufficient cause.
The American consular agent at Yarmouth was
| Henry A. Granham, who took lively interest in
behalf Of the fishermen, who suffered most severely
| by being captured by the British armed vessels.
The following account of the affair was furnished
at the time; and the fishing business has again
| assumed serious ct, we think pubca-
tion Of the facts, then furnished by Mr. will
prove interesting to the readers Of the HERALD.
! The statement in substance, was as follows
| The schooner Independence, VIM Burgess, mas
ter, was seized on the 26th of May, while lying at
| anchor near the Tusket Islands, by the British go
veinment vessel, the Victory; she carried into
/ Yarmouth, and stripped of her sails and part of
| her rigging. The independence belonged to Vinal-
| haven, Maine, and sailed thence on the 10th Of
| April, for fishing voyage in the Bay of Fundy.
| Tie master and crew deposed that they never ap-
preached within less than Is miles of the coast Of
Nova Scotia until about the end of April when,
| being in want Of water, and the wind blowing very
| heavy they stood in for the Tusket islands where
they remained n hours.
After the expiration of that time, they nut TO sea
again, and remained on the fishing ground until
tho 25th of May, when their only compass was ac-
cidentoy broken, and being again In want of
water, they stood in once more for the coast, in
tending to make the port of Yarmouth, to get their
| compass repaireds but the wind being adverse and
the weather hazy, they were obliged to take shell
ter at the Tusket Islands, and were there captured
On the day after their arrival They deposed that
they had, at time, taken any fish at a less dis
lance from the coast than Is miles, nor at any one
| time remained at anchor the islands, or at any
| port more than "a hours. They admitted, however,
that they bad been persuaded to lend their nets
to inbabtant oftho Tusket Islands, for one night,
and bad received from him some behring's as o oon-
| pensaton for the use thereof.
The schooner Magnolia was seized at the same