Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-07

Now, SIR II is preposterous 10 line from pro
ectng point OF these vast expansions the other
claim for the State which holds the coast even if il is tn
whole Of it. exclusive jurisdiction great of thu
with the right to prevent any other nation from
enjoying them, either for the purpose Of fishing
navigation.
That there are many landlocked inaentations which
constitute portions OF the territory of the country who's
surround them is ndisputable 1t not
to enter into the public law made since by general
sent, which regulates that subject No doubt may
arise where rights claimed and resisted which
easy of adjustment in consequence of the absence
fixed principles When such controversies arise they
must take their own course of settlement.
But independent of these general considerations ap-
picabe to the larger bays and CULTS of the fishing region
there others which fix the meaning of the word bay
employed in the convention beyond reasonable doubt
dispute, beyond all cavi but determination
to interest rather than to for the Specification of
term The convention by indicating the of the bays
sufficiently indicates their nature. They for the pur-
pose of aordng shelter &c. Now what shelter can the
beaten mariner find in the Bay of Fundy in the
Gulf of ST. Lawrence Both Of these among
most dangerous that hardy compelled to
encounter whatever may be their pursuits wherever
they may range the They proverbaly peril
and deceitful, and the right to find shelter upon
these tempesuous would not be worth the paper
which it might be written
The Montreal Herald, indeed, in a late number while
accusing the American of standing "upon any advan-
tages they may possess" cuts this Gordian knot with
great by the discovery and annuncaton that there
is, after ALL real ground for considering this as an
INSULT for the bays and straits where the British
ofwar stationed exclusively British as the
British channel Quite COOL this claim over the great
highway which separates France from England twenty
one miles broad in its narrowest part This is going
backward indeed to the days Of Selden the advocate Of
this preension and to the reign Of Charles who hoped
to establish it. The knowledge and the modesty Of the
editor are equally commendable.
The bays Of the convention classed with harbors
and creeksa classification signifcative of the object
They defined bays Of his Britannia Maestys do
mil vvb has
dicton it has the land that encrces them Phat
such the understanding of negotiaors is render
cd clear by the terms they employ in their report upon
this subject They Say, cit in that point of view that
the privilege of entering the ports for shelter is useful
&c. Here the word 'ports' is used descriptive
word embracing both the bays and harbors within which
shelter may be legally sought and shows the kind of
bays contemplated by trainers of the treaty And it
Is not little curious that the Legislature of Nova Scotia
have applied the same meaning to similar term. An
act OF that Province passed March H. 1886, with
this tte An act relating the fisheries in the Pro-
vince of Nova Scotia and the coasts and harbors thereof
which act recognises the convention and provides for its
execution under the authority of imperial statute 1t
declares that harbors shall include bays ports and creeks
Nothing show clearly their opinion of the nature
of the shelter secured to the American fishermen
The general views of Messrs Rush and Gallatin are
shown In the following extract from their report and
Introduce it because it has important bearing upon the
whole subject before
Nssrs Gaatn and Rush TO The Secretary Of State, October
20, 1918.
1t will also be perceived that insisted the clause by
which the United States renowned their right to the fisheries
renqushed by the convention that clause having been omit
ted in the first British counter proe We insisted it with
the view1st Of preventing any implication that the ishe
RIGS secured to us were new grant, and OF placing the per-
of the rights secured and Of those precise
y on the same footing 3D. Gifts being expressly stated that
remuneration extended only the distance of three miles
from the This last point the important
with the exception Of the fishery open boats within certain
harbors appeared the above mentioned
lis
than three miles from the shores whilst the contra
it is almost universally close to the shore the coast of
Labrador 1t is in that point of that the privilege Of
terng the ports for shelter useful and is hoped that with
that provision considerable portion Of the actual fisheries
that of Nova Scotia WILL Notwithstanding the
citation, be preserved"
Now, sir it appears to me, careful review of this
whole question, that the conduct of England is equally
unfrendly and unjust Indeed, find it difficult might
almost say mpossbleto ascertain her true motive the
length to which she Is prepared to go; and espe
ciay so, her Government at home and'her officers
abroad have heraded her proceedings the world the
Of the Secretary of State and the orders of
the admiral having been equally communicated through
the medium of the press and their way through
Christendom Where her prudence, after these disclo
sres will prompt her to STOP how far in this dangerous
career her PRIDE whatever other motive dictates her
course, may mpel her onward, at loss to conjee
Nations before they take snch ground and take it
openly, should be very Of their rights and fixed
in their determination to maintain them Mr.. Monroe
equally puzzled in 1876 under not dssinilar circum
letter to Mr. Adams Of July q of that year:
Extract Of a letter from . Monroe to Mr. Adams dated July
81, 1915.
1t scarcely be presumed that the British Government
after the result Of the late experiment in the present
Europe and under its other engagements seriously
template renewal of hostes But it often happens with
nations well with individuals that just estimate Of its
interests and duties nfabe criterion Of its conduct
We ought be prepared at every point guard against such
You will be attentive circumstances and give
US timely notice Of any danger which may be menaced"
When the honorable Senators from Maine and Massa-
chusetts (Mr. HAMLIS and Mr. DAVIS attributed the
Of England in this matter design to effect
reciprocity arrangement for her colonies by manifesto
ton of energy and display Of force, could not
with them all in the opinion. thought was impos
sibe that England would hazard such experiment upon
forbearance, not to say tmidiy could not believe
that any British statesman could far mistake
tiona character to suppose that such would
extor consent to any measure whether obnoxious
not. thought had lived in the world so long, and
grown TO be Of its great Powers under circumstances
often requiring energy and resolution that nation
would regulate its demands against upon the presump
ton, IL they made with holiness they would
be granted with the alacrity of fear | am well aware
their rights for themselves, and have compelled
luctant States to do them Justice And this is justabe
where the demand is inconesabe and voluntary salts
faction becomes hopeless But this generally with
comparatively small States for with powerful such
q would be the signal Of But did not be-
eye we were in this category in the estimation Of the
British administration that the experiment would
ever be made Of firing gun the Potomac in time OF
peace to demand whatever because such an
act had succeeded the Tagus do not that the
display of unusual force in neghborng waters is as
indicative of attitude would be its appear.
ance upon our own coast but il well calculated to give
offence especially when coupled with the avowed deter
minatiOn of go turning