Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-08-04
THE FISHERIES.

cents time. Sides of course.
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THE FISHERIES.
TnE subject Of the Northeastern Fisheries is Great.
ing quite an excitement at Washington. The qucs.
tion is an old one but it has laid in abeyaucc long
time, and therefore the appearance of novelty.
Apart however from its freshness, this subject, I'M
doubtedly, demands grave consideration and mature
deliberaion is evident not only from the view
taken of it by Mr.. WEBSTER, hut also from the re-
marks of our Sen;ilors.
Mr.. Mason while speaking of The naval force sent,
by Great Britain, TO protect these Fisheries, SAYS:
"I do not know what view has been taken hy the
President OF this extraordinary movement hut |
think do know what the American people wond de-
mand of the Executive under such circumstances. If
there be official sufficient information the Execu-
tive that this extraordinary naval armament has been
ordered by Great Britain into the North American
for the purpose of executing inslancr the construc
ton which Great Britain places on the convention
say the American people will demand of their Execu
tive that all the naval nrce of the home station shall
be ordered there Instantly to project the American
fishermen"
This Language, although great many IFS and butts
may be found in it, is certainly strong, pointed and
unequvocal, nor any one doubt its real meaning
although many MAY is vel cvo .,,a,u, cvncruuvs nt
comments upon this subject as follows: "rlle whole
subject will engage the immediate attention Of the
Government" clearly indicating that the questions
which will arise upon it will be full OF interest and
importance. Indeei as Fisheries seem to be the pre-
yang topic, we will endeavor to furnish readers
with brief synopsis of that subject
BY the treaty Of 1888, the right Of Americans was
acknowledged by Great Britain to take fish of
every kind on the Grand Bank, and on all other
banks of New Foundlaud; also in the Gulf of st.
Lawrence, and all other places in The sea where the
inhabitants of botfcountries used at any time here.
toore to fish; also the coasts bays and creeks Of
all other Of his Britannia Majcsty's dominions in
America; and that the American Fishermen shall
have liberty dry and cure fish in any of the un.
settled Gays. harbours and creeks of Nova Scotia,
Muglacn Islands, and Labrador 30 long as the sam.
shall remain unsettled"
This extensive and profitable privilege was enjoyed
by the Americans until by the war of 1872 our fish.
crmcn driven from these sens and their rights
under the treaty Of 1888, annued. Among the ne
gotiations in 1914 we find the following:
s:That the British Government did not intend to
grant to the United States gratuousy the privileges
granted by treaty TO them, Of fishing within the
limits Of British Sovereignty, and of using the shores
OF British territories for purposes connected with tho
| fisheries"
Very soon after the ratification of the treaty, says
the Salem Gaactte, forth in the National Intel
hgencer, the British began exercise their newly
acquired Jurisdiction. In June 1917, circular was
issued from the Sccretays Office Halifax declaring
that
"American Fishermen arc not permitted to fire.
quent the harbours, bays and creeks of the province
of Nova Scotia unless driven into them by actual
Distress
In process of time our vessels were warned not 10
approach within sixty miles of tho British Colonial
| shores, indeed several Of them were captured and
sent in lawful prizes. These proceedings gave
rise to the convention of l8lS For years after this
American Fishermen were allowed to follow the
lines Of the shore the distance of three marine
miles" " but about the year 1910 the colonial autlor
ties made vigorous attempt to enforce the construc
ton by which the British Government now propose
to exclude from all the bays and deep indenaons of
the shore. This led to further negotiations and in
1915 despatch was sent to the Colonies bv LORD
STATLEY, the present British Premier, announcing as
concession to American Fishermen, the privilege of
pursuing their avocaons in the bay of Fundy Tho
announcement is Us follows:
1t has accordingly been announced to the United
States Government, that American citizens would
hencef0rwarl be allowed to fish in any part of The
bay Of Fundy, provided they do not approach exccpl
In the cases specified in the treaty of 1918, within
three miles of the entrance of any bay OH tic coast
of Nova Scotia ur New Brunswick
The above account, for most of which we are in
debted to the National InelEgencr, is concise and
pertinent history Of the Fisheries
Since the Convention of 1918, Notwithstanding the
repeated threats of the Colonial authorities to enforce
the provisions of that convention, American Fisher
men have exercised the privilege of fishing, driving,
curing &c, in and about those bays, liarbours and
creeks and this is only another repeated attempt on
the part of Great Britain 10 carry out those provi.
sIons. We leave il to wiser heads TO say whether or
not she has that right This much, however, MS very
we'll remarked by Mr. Mason, is certain that
In this civilized age, and hstween two such
countries Great Britain and the United States,
We're it the purpose of England to revise her con.
struction of this convention, and require that it !
should be enforced comfy, ordinary comfy, nm.
tura courtesy would have required that notice should
hive been given of that determination on the part
Of Great Britain"
Such course we think was due and owing, upon
the part of that nntion and not sending, without
notice or warning, naval armamcns with orders to
seize and capture our vessels and their owners.
The announcement, on the part of Great Britain
OF ner intention to enforce the provisions Of the con-
Sention, should have been borne to our ears in any
other way than by the sound of the cannon-indeed
the roar Of artillery is generally the beginning Of
immediate hosti!itics,