The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-24
Our Washington Correspondence.


VIATOR.
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, July q, 1852.
The Goldfish Dispute The Candle Lighted at Both
Ends--Rt.aliat,oa of the British Government fos
the Selfish Conduct of the South-Nigg0s vsrsus
Lamp oil, &c, &c.
The course Of the British government in relation
to the Nova Scotia fisheries it is said has, in some
measure, been superinduced by the restrictions i'm
posed upon British subjects in relation to the
fisheries the coast Of Florida and also the course
of South Carolina, and other Southern seaboard
States, with respect to British oolored seamen.
Prior TO the cession of Florida, in 1919, and for
some time after the cession, the British Bahamians
carried on all the wrecking, fishing and turtling
on the coast, and amongst the keys Of Florida
The wrecking privilege is very valuable one, being
estimated Mt million and half dollars annually.
The fishing for the Havana market alone, is estima-
ted Mt several hundred thousand dollars per annum,
500 900 being annually paid to the Captain General
Of Cuba, for the monopoly of the sale in that city
Alone and large quantities ofturles caught in those
waters shipped to Europe and every part of the
United States.
The wrecks on the Florida coast and KEYS were
formerly carried into Nassau and New Providence
Tor adjudication. On the acquisition Of the Flor-
5as the British were excluded by the Americans
from all these privileges and the exclusion became
more rgid upon the passage OF the British Eman-
cipatiOn act, in 1885, inasmuch as the crews Of
many Of the British fishing smacks and wrecking
vessels were composed of colored emancipees
Since 1929, the people of Florida have claimed the
exclusive property in and control over these fish
cries, and denied the right or power Of the
federal government 10 interfere with them Upon
the incoming Of every administration, since
1924, application has been made to the federal CO.
yerDment by the British ministers, in behalf of the
British Bahamians, for the privilege of participat-
in tiniti n hoeh n.r bal ~
a right, but as a favor from the American govern
ment. Reference being made by the federal 60
yernment TO the local authorities of Florida, the
privilege has in every instance, been promptly re-
fused; and for several years past in addition to the
general ground of exclusive right in the State the
necessity of excluding the British colored seamen
has been urged
to deliver up the fugitive slaves who had committed
murders and robberies in Florida, and also had fed
with the plumber across the straits TO the Bahamas
although the federal government despatched YES
sci of war to demand them upon The indictments
found, and dispositions showing their crimes, has
caused excited feeling in the South. The ground
taken by the Bahamian Judges that the resistance
TO, and homicide of q MASTER by slave, is not
MURDER but political offence not included in the
extradton clause of the treaty Of 1912, express
ed by Lord Ashburton to the abolition committee in
New York, has also strengthened the Southern feel
ing.
reaatory measures which are likely to increase the
price OF Goldfish 1t is considered however, as rather
severe that the retaliation of the British government
for this course of the South should be visited upon
the Yankee abolition fishermen. Niggers, in this
instance have got the start Of Goldfish and mackerel;
and if the aboltionsts suffer- they at least de-
serving of sympathy.
The official correspondence upon the subject Of the
Florida fisheries and British free niggers is highly
interesting and will send you copies at the earliest
opportunity. Y.
WASHINGTON, July %, 1852.
Statements in the Herald Confirmed By
Mr.. Webst1-Mr. Crampton's Visn 10 Massa
characterization at Bsue-Proposed Reciprocity
Of Trade wih Canada-DiGcuitya as TO the -dp-
piieation of the Law of Nations, and the adjust
meM of the Misunderstanding.
The statements that were published in the Herald
early in the month, relative to the measures that
are being taken by and under the sanction of the
British government, to enforce the convention of
1918, which prohibits American fishermen from
taking and curing fish on the fishing grounds and
shores Of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince
Edward island, have be n fully confirmed by the
official notification Of the Secretary of State, which
has appeared in the papers of this week. With re-
spect TO what stated, as to the future move
ments Of Mr.. Webster, for the benefit of his health
in connection with Mr. Champions tour to the
North, We find that gentleman has already met him
at Boston.
Ii is not probable, however, that any arrange
msnt will be concluded by those gentlemen while
away from the seat of government, although some
private chit chat may take place on the subject
over dish Of chowdor, that may influence the mind
OF the Secretary Of State in relation to accepting
the invitation to take cruise in the Devastation
steam frigate.
With reference to the subject ut issue between
the two countres--for Mr.. Webster evidently dis
cents from the doctrine which the British govern
ment seems determined TO enforce and who con-
siders the rights and interests of the United States
as having been abandoned by the American par
ties to the convention alluded tot involves a
plain question of national aw-that of the right OF
a nation to exercise exclusive sovereignty over all
the bays, harbors, and nlets Of the sea coast and
within cannon shot Of its shores and the only course
to DC pursued Is TO induce Great Britain, il pos
sible, to place American and British fishermen on
the same footing. and to make the former, during
the hshing season, temporary denzens OF the bri-
tish provinces
During the last few years, efforts have been
made by the people Of Canada to Obtain IRON INC
United States what is termed reciprocity; that ls
the admission Of the productions OF either country
into the territory of the other free OF impost-those
of CANADA being, at present, subject to q nominal
duty on importation, which is withdrawn on ship
ment; and. in exchange for this, ii was stated in
the Canadian Legislature, last session, by DIR.
H;ncks. the leading member of the government,
hat the province is authorized by the parent State
10 concede to American vessels the right to navigate
tbe river st. Lawrence to the sea-
In addition to this, it has recently been pro-
posed on the part Of Canada, to allow American
iishermen greater privileges on the sea-coast, to
which MS might be supposed, the Eastern PROVINCES
and even Lower Canada, are opposed, whore the
provincial fishermen enjoy great natural andnationa