Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-09-20
ffea the london fiSes, SEPT. l.
The Fishery Queslisu.

The Fishery Question.
In the Autumn of last year, tho Governments Of TINS
country and the United States far embroed upon
the question Of the Colonial Fisheries to occasion for
the moment considerable unessines and to create even
reasonable grounds for apprehension. The same
question Is under discussion at the present moment but
agreeable is the change in Its general aspect that in
stead of hOsttes enlargement, we may anticipate
from the negotiations a material improvement Of the rela
already subsistng between tho two countries Most
readers will ccocct that the dispute osensby made
to turn upon the construction of certain phrases in the
treaties regulating these reciprocal rights The Americans
stood debarred by the conventions from the within
certain distance of the British Shore and from the bays
Of Colonial coasts The former of these provisions
involves general maxim of international law, by which,
FOR obvious reasons all territory held TO carry with
il fixed of the by which 1t is washed. Toe
addressed directly to the preservation of
Fisheries, inasnuch the bays indcntaions OF
coast line usually include the productive waters
though here also the maxims Of public Law found
apply since by the received understanding in such matters
line, instead OF follow sinuostes Of the shore
assys measured from headland to hesdand Clearly
therefore, the American Interpretation of the case by which
they claimed ngress TO our bays on condition only OF
keeping the specified distance from the shores al
together untenabe. The simple ruth OF the matter
this There a time when these North American
all under Government alike and when the
in question open to Canadians and New Eng
LADDERS in This OF things was Interrupted
dent but which deprived them of their former privileges
the coasts still pertaining TO the British Crown As
these fishing grounds by far the best they naturally
felt the loss and from that time TO this have endea vorcd
by various ehods the original right. The
real question: took occasion to remark last year.
however might have been limited in the ostensblc dis
pute, always involved the whole privilege of common
fishery, and views entirely confirmed before the
close Of the discussion by the admissions of the Americans
themselves. IL fairly Acknowledged that even the
of the point relating the bars would
claimants,
What wanted WIS, that the New England fishermen
should regain the old privilege of fishing in British
freely il they still British subjects. This
desire was at one moment undisgusedy ayowed under
the assertion of certain natural rights, giving all
sqal title catch Goldfish anywhere just the
lofty principles appealed TO in proof Of the commu
" of another species OF goods known by the of
guano Att last, however the reasonable policy has
been adopted of treating for the coveted advantages by
the ordinary Of bargain and SALE and negotiations
pending between the for the cesson
only OF fishing rights but Of other privileges, the
Americans the receipt of certain equitable cesons in
return The latest intelligence on this subject We yeser
day published.
1t appears that the British Government is not un willing
upon fair CONDITIONS TO place American fishermen the
footing in all respects Of colonists; and thus
TO terminate absolutely all chances of difference in respect
to these matters In return it understood that demands
have been preferred side for the repeal of import
duties colonial fish, the stoppagc Of the bountes
paid to American fishermen and a reciprocity Of priv
lege for British fishermen in American The last
condition is little better than nominal for British fishermen
how the other could be liable substantial e1cep
ton. II put American fishermen level with our
owa, and allow them take fish in waters without
dStncOn surely in the highest degree unreasonable
maintain that the equality thus instituted should con.
inue the point the advantages have hitherto
lain with the British, and the point where they
| lie with the Americans. We have the best fishing
grounds the Americans the best fish markets and they
should yield admission their markets receiving
admission TO grounds To say that mixed feet Of
oOlti should fish together terms in British
American he
TO take their hsh the best market l. mauifesty
unfair that need waste time in exposing propo-
sion. At present the Americans put duty colonial
caught FISH, but If these very ash may be caught BY either
Americans cClonsts the like imparllIy should be
shown in all the arrangements of the tariff Reasonable
enough, too, is the demand concerning the counties We
may open fisheries the natural trade Of America
but fairly require that the American Government
shall not sriheAiy create competitors for fishermen
by pushing into these pursuits who would have
adopted ihem Of their accord. II free trade Is
tue order Of the day, the extinction Of bounes fol-
los matter Of Nevertheless, this proposal
Ias been declined II i SAID 10y Genera! Picrccs CABINET
on the ground that the Interference Of foreign Statecan
not he admitted question policy strictly internal
The negotiations, however, have assumed character
Tar more extensive than the original question Implied
The navigation Of the river Laurence aHd other impor.
ant sieAs the common Of Certain railroads and high.
ways to registration Of colonial vessels in American pors
the adaptation OF the American navigation laws the lib
eraty Of enactnrnts aud the reciprocal mod-
cation of the Customs aii both States have all been
brought forward in tho discussion. and II il .DonlI H.
found practicable to arrive satisfactory adjustment or
so many points the interests uf the great AugloSx-
on communities will be linked together firmly than
ever We cannot di,sembe the tact that many difficulties
from which Administration j. comparatively free
beet American Government in any cndcIvor TO
elect such arrangements these. The New England
fishermen form and powerful class aud 20
large l. the capital invested in their pursuits that a hear
Es Is likely he secured for their demands in opposition
even to the obvious dictates Of justice They
disposed 10 give than TO take, and imprObaby
cltmOr for the retention Of their privileges while
cHaciinS -hare IN the proper advantages VI others Be
sdes th the general doctrines Of free trade though u-
doubtediy advancing, Scl recognised ~ the
Inted states they with ourselves; and while there
= no question that Eugish Ministry could approve To
Parliament any propositions for lair aud reciprocal abo-
"h Of commercial restrictions. il exceedingly doubt
uI whether Ike success could Le achieved IN Congress
The Americans IL fact light be reasonably called upon
to remember that they like other nations already in
TINS respect Debtors and that they have something 10
10 d. tccpOcauUg accomplished concessions even be
lure any others mootei. Above sl il must be under.
STOOD tna this couuy though Literally disposed aud hot
inclined 10 drive an ungoneruus bargain such subject
or with such nation will submit 10 have it, incou.
esic rights npunged by reference the rights of
man, or impaired 10y those claudestine encroichIncn-
which are ultimately appealed constituting prcscp.
ton The fishing grounds il question are a. entirely our
properly a. the valley Of tile Mississippi the property Of
the United States There every disposition ia this couu.
Try To admit Americans 10 share OF advantage and
We shall cordially rejoice iu conclusion Which willie cy.
ngui-hng the risk Of unpleasant collisions will place the
two nations on fJouug OF such desirable amty. The
more comprehensive scope of the treaty the better shall
We be pleased but give ard take is fair play and policy
no less than justice requires that It American. are INDUCED
III their Natural "shes British cOOusts should not be y
with reason to complain.
CHINA.