The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-07-22
The DAILY DISPATCH
IoFFICIAL.
THE AMERICAN FISHERIES.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, ]
WAsHlSGToN Iniv 1890

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, July 6, 1852.
Information OF an official character has been
effect: ~ '''e 'oio"'ns
Ihe late Ministry of England was opposed
10 the granting of bounties on principle. and
IN consequence IT steadily refused to give the
granting bountes to the fisheries. The Coin.
mes complained severally of this interference
WIN their local affairs. and they further COM
pian tnat the Government declined TO enforce
.ile provisions Of the Fishery Conyent,on of
1910, and thereby permitted American fisher.
men to encroach upon the best fishing
grounds, from which, under the legal cons,ruc.
ton OF the treaty, they ought to be excluded.
WIN the recent change of Ministry in En-.
gland has occurred an entire change Of policy.
The present Secretary of State for the Colo
MES, Sir John Packington, has addressed a
circular letter to the Governors of the several
North American Colonies, an extracr from
which IS as foliows: v.sss~s71.
DowNING.sT., May 26, 1852.
Among the many pressing subjects which
have engaged the attention of Her Maiesty's
Ministers since their assumption of Office, few
have been more important in their estimation.
than the questions relating to the protection
solicited for the Fisheries of the Coasts of
British North America. Her Majestys Gov.
eminent have taken into their serious conside-
ration the presentations upon this subject, con.
tanned in your dispatches noted in the margin,
and have not failed to observe that while ac
tive measures have been taken by certain Col.
onies, for encouraging their fisheries, and Of
repelllng the intrusion of foreign vessels, it
has been subject of complaint that impedi-
ments should have been offered by the policy
of the Imperial Government to the enactment
of bounties considered by the local Legisla-
lures essential for the protection Of this trade.
Her majesty's Ministers are desrous of remo
wing all grounds of complaint on the part of
the Colonies, in consequence of encroachment
OF the fishing vessels Oi the United States up
on waters from which they are excluded by
the terms Off Convention of 1918, and they
therefore intend to dispatch as soon as possible
small naval force of steamers, or other small
vessels, to enforce the observance of that Con-
yentien.
This announcement is accompanied by the
following as TO bounties
with regard to the question of promoting
the fisheries of the British Colonies by the
means of bounties. Her Mojesty's Government,
though desirous 10 sanction any necessary de-
Walton from the policy which regulates the
commerce of this country, are still disnclined
TO prevent these Colonies, by interposiion of
negotiation with the United tates of Amer
ica for the settlement of the principles on
which the commerce of 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"
Meantime, and within the last ten days, an
American fishing vessel, called the Coral, be-
longing to Machias, in Maine, has been seized
ln the Bay of Fundy, near Grand Menan, by
the officer commanding Her Majesiy's cutter
Netley, already arrived in that bay, for an al.
legged infraction of the Fishing Convention,
and the fishing vessel has been carried to the
port of St. John, N. B., where proceedings
have been taken in the Admiralty Court with
a view to her condemnation and absolute for
feiture.
Besides the small naval force to be sent out
by the Imperial Government, the Colonies are
bestirring themselves also FOR the protection of
their fisheries. Canada has fitted out an armed
vessel, to be stationed on the Gulf, end this
vessel has proceeded 10 the fishing grounds,
having on board, not only naval commander
aud crew, with power to seize vessels within
limits, but also stipeEdary magistrate and
civil police, 10 make prisoners Of all who are
found transgressing the laws of Canada, in
order to their being committed to Jail in that
Colony for trial. The Colony of Newfound-
land has fitted out an armed vessel for the pur
pose of resisting the encroachments of French
fishing vessels On the coast of Labrador, but
when ready to sail from her port, the Cover
nor of that Colony, acting under imperial in,
structions, refused to give the commander of
the Colonial vessel the necessary authority
for making prize of French vessels found tres
passing.
This is an extraordinary circumstance, es.
peeialiy when taken into connection with
the TACT that the like authority to seize Ainer-
can fishing vesaels, under similar circumsran-
ces, has never been refused to the cruisers of
any of the North American Colonies. The
Colony Of Nova Scotia has now four armed
cruisers, we'll manned, on its coasts. ready to
pounce upon any American vessels who may,
accidentally or otherwise, be found fishing
within the limits defined by the Grown officers
ofEngland.
New Brunswick has agreed with Canada
and Nova Scotia to place a cutter in the Bay
OF Fondy to look after Americans fishing there
and al Prince Edwards Island, and her Majes-
tvs steam frigate Devastation has been placed
under the instructions of the Governor OF that
Colony. The first article of the Convention
between the United States and Great Britain,
of the 20lh October, 1918, is in these words;
Whereas, Differences have arisen respect
ing the Liberty claimed BY The United States
tor the inhabitants thereof TO take, dry, and
cure fsh on certain coasts, bays, harbors and
creeks of His Britannia Majesiy's dominions
in America, il is agreed between the high con-
tracing parties thar the inhabitants OF the SAID
United States siia have forever, in common
with the subjects of His Britannia Majesty,
the liberty 10 take fish OF every kind on that
part of the Southern Coast OF Newfoundland
which extends from Cape Ray TO the Ramean
Islands on the Western and Northern Coasts of
said Newfoundland from the said Cape Ray TO
the Quirpon lslands ON the shores OF the Mag
daien Islands, and also on the Southern Coasts.
bays. harbors and creeks from Dit. jolly on
the Southern Coast of the Labrador TO and
through the Straits OF Belle Isle, and thence
northwardy indefinitely along the Coast with
out prejudice, how ever, to any OF the exclusive
rights OF the Hudson's Bay Company, and that
the American fishermen shall also have liberty
forever to dry and cure fish in any OF the un-
settled bays, harbors and creeks OF the South
ern part of the Coast OF Hewfoundland herea-
bose described, and of the Coast OF Labrador,
bat SO soon as the same or any portion thereof
shall be settled, il shall not be lawful Tor The
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