Washington sentinel., 1853-10-11
Our Fishing Interests.

1t will be seen by reference to another column
OF our paper this morning that the interests of
American fishing ships on the coast are not re-
ceiving that attention from our squadron on
that station which is demanded. We have a
sufficient naval force there for all the purposes
of protection, yet our fishermen it appears, are
treated with unnecessary roughness, and sub
mitted to every species of annoyance at the
hands of the officers commanding British
cruisers. The captains of fishing boats Just
returned represent, that while the English
ships on the station are full of activity, always
on the waters of the bays where our fishermen
are prohibited to CO. and watching with assid-
uous attention for every breach of the stipula-
tions entered into by the two governments, the
vessels of our squadron are lying lazily in the
different ports taking no heed of how things
are going on. They complain that the officers
of the American navy do not hold any inter-
course with them, but spend all their time in
port with the English population; and that it
is almost impossible to reach the commander
of the American squadron, for the purpose of
obtaining relief in cases where they have been
subjected to great harshness from the British
vessels. Captain Hunt, of schooner Edmund
Burke, complains that he cruised regularly
during the whole season, on the most noted
fishing ground along the coast of Prince Ed
ward Island, and was not able during the en-
tire season to find a United States armed ves
sci, although he diligently sought to find one,
in order to make complaint against the aggres-
sion and violation of the rights of the treaty by
the commander of the provincial steamer Rose
During all this time he saw one or more Brit
ish cruisers almost every day.
The American squadron was not sent into the
bay of ST Lawrence that its officers might have
an opportunity Of flirting with the bellies of
Halifax or Charlottetown; but to protect our
hardy fishermen in their rights, and save them
from the officous insolence of British captains.
Instances of great cruelty, wholly uncalled
for, and, in some cases, in manifest violence to
the treaties, are recited of the British cruisers
yet no assistance was at hand from those of
whom our vessels were entitled to demand pro-
lection. In one case, while Captain Hunt was
southerly blow of the season, boat from the
British steamer Rose boarded him, and ordered
him to get under way as speedily as possible.
Captain H. said he could not safely leave until
the next morning, unless it ceased blowing so
freshly; but the captain of the steamer insisted
upon his getting under way at once, declaring,
if he did not, he would seize him and carry him
to Charlottetown. OF course, Hunt had no al
tentative but to brave the horrors of tempest
uous night, which he did, knowing that there
was no appeal from the dict,tm Of the British
commander; though the right of harborage in
the bays and sound, in case of storms, is guar
anteed to our ships by the stpulations which
regulate our fishing trade.
This is case WHICH demands the interfer-
ence ofthe Secretary of the Navy, and we hope
1t will receive prompt attention from that
quarter.-Cm. Columbian.