The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-21
From the Boston Courier Of Monday.
Tho American Fishories.--[O mcial.I
DEPARrMENr OF STATE,

"The late ministry Of England was opposed to
the granting Of bounies, on principle; and, in
sequence il steadily refused to give the necessary
assent to acts Of the Colonial Legislatures grant
ing bounties to the fisheries. The Colonies COM
planned, severally, of this interference with their
local affairs; and they further complained that the
government declined to enforce the provisions Of
the Fishery Convention of 1918, and thereby per
mitted American fishermen to encroaoh upon the
best fishing grounds, from which, under the legal
construction of the treaty, they ought to be ex-
cluded. ..r:3at d. .-.'' q .vI
with the recent change of ministry in Eng
land, has occurred an entire change Of policy.
The present Secretary of State for the Colonies,
Sir John Packington, has addressed circular
letter to the Governors Of the several North Anne.
rican Colonies, extract from which is follows:
'.' DowNISa SrREET, May &c, 1852.
Among the many pressing subjects which have
engaged the attention Of her mnjesty's ministers,
since their assumption of Office, few have been
important in their estimation than the questions
lating to the protection solicited for the fisheries
on the coasts Of British North America. .ar
Her majesty's government have taken into their
serious consideration the Representations upon this
margin and have not failed to observe that, whilst
active measures have been taken by certain colo
MES for the purpose of encouraging their fisheries
and Of repeing the intrusion Of foreign vessels. it
should have been offered by the policy of the impe.
rial government to the enactment of bounties, con.
sidered by the local legislatures essential for the
protection of this trade Her inajesty's ministers
are DESTROYS Of removing all grounds of plant
on the part of the colonies, in consequence of the
Entertainments Of the fishing vessels Of the United
States upon those waters, from which they
cuded by the terms Of the convention Of 1918, and
they therefore intend to despatch, possible,
small narol force qf steamers, or other small res-
sells, to enforce the obseruancs Of that convention.
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 majesty's government, although do.
slrous not to sanction any unnecessary deviation
this country, are stl disinclined to prevent those
colonies, by the interpositon of imperial authori
ty- and especially pending the negotiation with
the United States of America for the settlement Of
the principles on which the commerce with 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.
"The vessels of war mentioned in the above cir.
cunr dispatches expected TO be upon the coasts
of British North America during the present
month, (Juy,) when, no doubt, seizures will begin
to be made of American fishing vessels which in the
autumn pursue their business in indents of the
coast' from Whlcn, IL ID COMMENDED. they are ex-
cluded by the convention of 1918.
Meantime, and within the last ten days, an
American fishing vessel called the Coral" be.
longing to Machias, in Maine, has been seized in
the Bay of Fundy. near Grand Manan, by the off
Ger commanding her majesty's cutter "Netley,"
already arrived in that bay, for an alleged infrac-
lion OF the fishing convention; and the fishing YES
sci has been carried to the port of St. John, New
Brunswick, where proceedings have been taken in
he Admiralty court, with view to her con-
domination and absolute forfeiture.
Besides the small naval force to be sent out by
the imperial government, the colonies are bestir-
ing themselves also for the protection of their
fisheries Canada has fitted out an armed vessel |
be stationed in the gulf and this vessel has pro-
'eeded to the fishing grounds, having on board
aot only a naval commander and crew, with |
oower to seize vessels within limits, but also sti
,endary magistrate and civil police, to make
prisoners of all who are found transgressing the |
avs of Canada, in order to their being committed |
o Jail in that colony for trial.
"The colony of Newfoundland has fitted out an |
lrmed vessel for the purpose of resisting the en-
;roachments of French fishing vessels on the coast
# Labrador; but, when ready to sail from her
'ort, the governor Of that colony. acting under
imperial instructions, refused to give the COM
nander Of this colonial vessel the necessary autho-
ity for making prize of French vessels found tres
'assing. This ia an extraordinary circumstance,
specially when taken in connexion with the fact
bat the like authority to seize american fishing
essels, under similar circumstances, has never
'een refused to the cruisers of any Of the North
American colonies.
1.-THE colony Of Nova Scotia has now four armed |
ruisers, well manned, on it's coasts, ready to
,onnce uDon anv American vesseIo bo NAV
identally or otherwise, be found fishing within
he limits defined by the crown officers of Eng
and
"New Brunswick has agreed with Canada and
Nova Scotia to place cutter in the Bay of Fundy
o look after American fishermen there; and at
'rince Edward Islands her majesty's steam. fri
ate Devastation has been placed under the in.
tructions of the governor Of that colony"
The first article of the convention between
he United States and Great Britain of the Goth
October, 1918, is in these words:
Whereas, differences have arisen respecting
he liberty claimed by the United States FIR the
thereof to take, dry, and fish on
ertain coasts, bays, harbors, and creeks Of his
Britannia majesty's dominions in America, it is
greed between the high contracting parties that
he inhabitants Of the said United States shall
ave forever, in common with the subjects of his
3ritannic majesty, the liberty to take fab of every
ina on tnat part OF the southern coast OF New |
oundland which extends from Cape Ray to the
aameau Islands, on the western and northern
oast Of said Newfoundland, from the said Cape
Ray to the Quirpon Islands, on the shores Of the
hagdalen Islands; and also on the coasts, bays,
larbors, and creeks from Mount Jolly, the
outhern coast OF Labrador. to and through the
straits Of Belleisle, and thence northwardIy indc-
initely along the coast, without prejudice, how.
ver, to any of the exclusive rights of the Hud-
on's Bay Company; and that the American fish
rrnen shall also have liberty. forever, to dry and
ure fish in any Of the unsettled bays, harbors, and
:reeks Of the southern part of Me coast Of New.
oundland, here above described, and Of the coast
i Labrador; but 80 soon the came or any por
ion thereof shall be settled il shall be lawful
or the said fishermen to dry or cure fish Mt such
,ortion settled, without previous agreement for
uch purpose, with the inhabitants, proprietors,
Of the ground. And the United States
hereby renounce, forever, any liberty heretofore
njoyed or claimed. by the inhabitants thereof, TO
AXE, dry, or cure fish within three marine
niles any Of the coasts bays, creeks harbors,
# his Britannia majesty's dominions in America,
Tot included within the above mentioned limits.
'rouided, ho,otper, That the American fishermen
hall be admitted to enter such bays harbors
or the purpose of shelter, and of repairing dam.
gees therein, OF purchasing wood and of obtaining
" nj nd for M thcr ,hafey R,t |