The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-07-30
THE FISHERIES.-THE SUPREMACY
OF THE SEAS.

THE FISHER1ES.-lHE SCfhEMANI
OF THE SEAS.
Our readers will bear US out in the fact that
we have kept them posted thus far on the diffl-
culties arising out of the depths of the ocean,
where mackerel and Goldfish have their home.
We cannot this morning give them any further
light yet we may be permitted to throw out
q few thoughts on the subject that have usurp-
ed space in our mind. The State of Massa-
chusetts is interested in the cod fishery to a
considerable extent. Goldfish is to Yankee.
dom sine qua non. Every family, the rich,
the poor the high, the low, devours Goldfish.
The mouth of the brawny laborer and the cher
ry lips and ivory teeth of the Yankee girl are
the gateways for these ishy celebrities. Nor
can we blame our New England neighbors for
their passion for cod fish. All people and all
countries have peculiarities. With them it is
cod fsh-with us, bacon and cabbage.
But we did not design writing an article to
raise sigh from any sympathetic stomach on
this warm day. We designed speaking of the
subject as a national matter-for at present
we must consider everything national matter
that infringes upon the rights of any sister
State. If John Bull expects to get us into a
mistaken. We do not know that he expects
it. Perhaps his idea is to gain some privileges
by compromise but there we think he will be
disappointed. Mr.. Webster, who, though a
statesmen, no doubt preserves lingering fond
ness for the scaly denizens of the Bay of Fun
dy, has taken view ofthe treaty that gives to
the Yankee fishermen fall sweep ofthe blue
waters, and his construction has been main
tanned by Southern statesmen in Congress-
MIR. Webster is doubtless we'll satisfied that
he can settle this matter, and as he is the very
man for an emergency, the people and authori-
ties of this country should give him full length
Of line to ACT on his own hook. There are
some thirty thousand seamen now engaged in
the fisheries, representing capital of fifteen to
twenty millions of dollars. This is certainly
matter Of no small consideration. Thirty
thousand American seamen, experienced in
all the ways of old ocean, are assuredly wor-
thy of protecton-and as it is with them a
matter OF vital interest, they must be protected
in their rights. In another view of the subject
this large number of seamen would make
tolerably efficient naval force, competent, We
should judge, to protect itself. 1t does not be
come us to treat the subject lightly. 1t hal
assumed a serious aspect, and our govern
ment is taking measures for the settlement O
it. We have no doubt that such an adjust
ment will be made as will give full and enrir,
satisfaction to the people of the United States
in general, to the New England fishermen il
particular, and even 10 the Goldfish and mack
erel now swimming, who take pride in fur
nishing revenue aud support to the Peep
''along Shore
We sincerely trust that the war of the fshe
8 ries will be confined to the region of the Bri
fish provinces, and that no foreign power will
ever attempt TO infringe upon the lawful ant
constitutional traffic in "Charles City Bacon
Let John Bull come this way and hook ou
surgeon, if he dares!
Since the above was written We have re
ceived the National Intelligencrr, containing
the subjoined apparently semi official article
which shows that our Government had, al
early as the 9TH instant, been informed by thai
latter to protect the fisheries from alleged
depredations on the part of American fisher.
men
1--WE observe thai many papers speak of the
recent difficulties in reference to our fisheries
as though they were something new; as
though the Government ofGrrat Britain had
recently assumed new ground on that sub
ject. But to those who have followed the his
tory of this matter, il must be fresh in their
recollection that seizures have heretofore been
made BY the British Government for alleged
violations of the treaty of 1918 between the
{ two countries. A fshing vessel by the name
Of the Washington was seized 10 the Bay OF
Fundy, soale ten years ago and il was on
) the discussions that grew out Of that seizure
+ fhaiihe Government Of Great Britain so far
! relaxed its righis under the treaty Is to per-
] nit our fishermen to pursue their vocation in
the Bay Of Pnndy, provided that they did not
20 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