Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-07
THE AMERICAN FISHERIES QUESTION.


he had given notice. respecting the state Of the negota
tons pending between Great Britain and the United
States the of the colonial fisheries The noble
Earl commenced by referring the origin Of the dispute
between American and British colonial fishermen, and
proceeded to state the taken by the late Govern
ment for the protection of the latter Their ordshps
would recolect that that said have pro-
duced some jealousy the part of the American Govern
ment but Mr.. Webster, having considered the question
and fairly understood the objects and sentiments of her
Maestys Government, at gave cordial assistance
TO her Majesty's Government in depressing unfair
croachmens the colonial fisheries and eventually Mr.
Webster agreed that the negotiations should be entered
into early possible between the two Governments,
only settle the question of British fisheries but
bring TO successful result other negotiations between the
two countries embracing various commercial points The
wisdom and propety OF the step taken by her Maesys
late Government in sending vessels of to protect
the fishermen whose rights being nterfered with
could not be doubted. few captures made of
American vessels found fishing in waters where clearly
they prohibited, viz. within three marine rifles of
the shore and the result of the timely protection thus
given was that successful seasons fishing had never
before been known on the shores OF Nova Scotia.
Her Maestys present Government were Of course full
ly Of the valuable nature of those fisheries and
the importance of the question would excuse the anxiety
with which he would press the noble lord Carendon
opposite for information with respect to the further safe
ty and protection of privileges so precious. 1t
extremely fortunate circumstance that not only had the
British Government obtained the services of Admiral
that station Of great capacity and judgment but also
that the efforts of that officer in REFRESHING encroach
ments had been greatly aided and sustained and recp
rocated by, Commodore Perry. These Entertainments
of character which, had they not been checked
would have destroyed the nshore fisheries the banks
of Nova Scotia lie did not speak of those waters claim
ed by us under the treaty of 1918, but to which the
American Government disputed our right
With regard these her Maestys late Government came
| to agreement with the Government of the United
States that capture should take place in those dspu
ted waters pending the negotiation and accordingy the
captures that made entirely confined vessels
fishing within three miles of the shore Now in his opin-
ion this country deeply indebted the exerton pr
dence, and ability of Admiral, Sir George Seymour
during the whole time he conducted not only the proec
ton Of those fisheries but the negotiations with different
persons in respect to them and he 1.-THE Earl Of Mames
bury) trusted that if that officer again placed on
that station his advice which given with honesty
the nvarable accompaniment of real mert--would be
appreciated and that the present Government would de-
4 fer to it, as the last Government had DONE
After Mr. Webster had agreedthat negotiation should
take place, pleased Providence that dtin
gushed statesman and the result of this was suspend
proceedings, and after the change of Government
took place in this country He lord Malmesbury was
therefore at this moment ignorant with regard to the posi-
ton of the negotiations and if the noble lord would do
SO without injury to the public service he would perhaps
inform the House how far they had been advanced and
whether they were soon likely to be advanced
cluson. The fishery season commencing, and it
very desirable to know if il was the intention Of her Maes
tvs Government TO continue protection to those British
fisheries, especially the inshore fisheries the
Outstanding and in the same in which they had
been protected by the late Government?
The Earl of CLARENDON said have to inform the no.
bic Earl that her Maestys Minister Washington in
conformity with instructions which he received from her
Maestys Government and in pursuance of the desire ex-
pressed by the President of the United States entered
to discussion Washington for making arrangements
to carry into effect better footing, the commercial
relations between the United States and this country Mr.
CHAMPION received the cordial assurances both from
the President and from the Secretary conducting foreign
affairs Of their agreement in the views taken by her Ma
estys Government and of their belief that convention
might be concluded in a satisfactory form. Mr. Cramp-
ton, theirreques proposed the project Of convention
on which, however some difficulties arose and some OBJ
ections made but the whole proceedings being
Quoted in the friendly spirit When however the
President in his annual message TO Congress, declared
that in his opinion the two subjects that of the fisheries
and the reciprocity Of trade had better be embodied in
two separate conventions Mr. Champion conveyed 10 him
the why lie believed such course would be OBJ
jected to by her Majestys Government. The project
nevertheless sent home and agreed to by her Males
tvs Government with some notifications and my noble
friend Lord John Russell) expressed TO Mr. Crampton
his desire that be concluded and thus be
accepted proof that the two Governm were de-
ermned carry their respective relations in the shirt
of justice accommodation, and berality This was met
in the spirit by Mr. EVERETT But some fresh OBJ
ections and difficulties that were entirely unforeseen
these occasioned reference TO her Maiestys
Government; and thus il became manifesy impossible
TO carry the matter further with any hope Of bringing
TO successful issue during the short period in which the
late Government of the United States were to remain
Office.
| The question therefore be considered to be at
present under negotiation and am sure that my noble
friend opposite would be the last man to call upon me-
under the circumstances, speak further on the point
am sure also that my noble friend will require no as
surance from me that the zeal, ability and great iudg
ment eharaeterizng al Mr. CRAxProSs conduct will not
allow any opportunity escape Of bringing the question
TO conclusion alike honorable and useful to both
tries.
With respect to the other question asked-regardinc
the protection Of these sheres have to state that pre-
csey the same instructions that were sent out last year
and for the same purpose have been by her Ma
jestys present Government Those instructions appear
TO me TO be framed with great and caution and be-
ieye no alteration whatever has been made in them Ny
noble friend will receive further satisfaction from know
ing that those instructions will likewise be carried into
effect by the same gallant admiral to whom they were
addressed last year, and who, sure will evince again
the same determination TO protect every British right
well as the same caution in respect to the rights and in
terests Of others need hardly say that in the praise
bestowed on that gallant officer by my noble friend en-
trey and perhaps what is Of more consequence
to him. the opinion thus expressed is fully shared in by
my right honorable friend the First Lord Of the Admiralty
Some time ago my right honorable friend addressed
letter to Sir g. Seymour thanking him for the important
services which he had rendered and stating that would
be his pleasing duty bestow the first good service adj
miral's pension which fell in.
The Earl Of DERBY thought that the noble Earl bad
made statement which would be entirely satisfactory to
their lordshps, the country and the colonies. Their