New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-05-06
Debate on the Fisheries in the House of Lords
the 21sf.

The Earl bamesbury to put the question: of which
be had given notice. in reference American Fisher
les and said My Lords, the attention OF the late Govern
ment had been called to the complaints OF American
Colonies in consequence of encrOachments by the Usher
and inhabitants OF the United States upon the British
Fisheries Oh the American coast In consequence of those
complaints although the Fishery had already
menced thought Il duty at once 10 protect Her
Majesys subjects in that quarter OF the world. Accord
ingly the late Government issued instructions by which
small class OF vessels sent 10 protect those Fisheries
against the encroachments of the Americans This step
appears produced some jealousy the part OF the Amer
Government The late Mr. Webster having however,
considered the question and having fairly understood the
object and intention Of the British Government at once
gave his cordial assistance Her Maestys Government
repress any further encrOachment and finally agreed
that negotiations quickly possible should be entered
into between the Government OF the United States and the
British Government not only with view Of settling tho
question Of the Fisheries but also OF bringing 70 success
iu result other negotiations which pending between
the two Governments, and which embraced afI wider
field Hear hear The step which the late Government
took upon that occasion In sending out vessels 10 protect
our rights is, think, one which must be considered
by all parties as undoubtedly correct Hear hear'l
Although tue negotiations upon this point had not con
cluded, low captures were made Of American vessels
found evidently fishing between the three marine miles in
dcated by the treaty to be our boundary and to belong TO
the British Crown The result was that successful a
season for the fisheries the shores Of Nova Scotia and
our other American colonies had before been heard
Of This fact viii appear by the papers on the table OF
your lOrdshps house which viii also show how very val
liable those fisheries have been proved 20 be. say much
valuable than they supposed 20 be by any for
Government trust that the noble earl opposite Will
any anxiety may feel in asking this question, IN
to the future safety and protection OF those I'M
portsnt fisheries. When we employed Of our abest
adiras this coast that gallant gentleman had the good
fortune TO meet an officer who equally prudent and
skiul 10 assist him in preventing these encr0 schmens
namely, Commodore Perry These encroachments II per-
mtted 10 continue would have the effect Of destroy ing al
together our fisheries on the coast Of Nova Scotia do
speak Of that part Of the waters which claimed
in lsls aEd in respect TO which dispute had arisen, be
cause her Majestys Government came 20 agreement
with the Government Of the United states that capture
should be made in those disputed waters pending these
gocatOns but that should BE- entirely confined Amer
can vessels ound fishing within the have mentioned
namely three miles.
Mr. Webster had agreed that negotiations should tax
place. which should include among other important ques
lions, settlement Of the fisheries question 1t has bowev
er pleased Providence 10 that statesman from this
world and this unfortunate circumstance checked the
course Of proceedings that then going About the
same time a change in the government Of this country took
place and from that hour am utterly ignorant Of what had
occurred upon the subject Of these negotiations which
begun by Mr.. Webster and Mr. CHAMPION and which
approved Of by the then President Of the United
states wish ask the noble earl whether consist
emily with his public duty he feels himself at liberty to in
form the House what has taken place since the period at
which he entered Office how the negotiations between
and the American Government and whether they
likely to be concluded this season Considering that
at the commencement Of the fishing season wish
also 70 ssk whether IS the intention Of the government To
continue the protection Of those fsheres-especay OF
manner as the late government had eece
70 them Hear, bear
The Earl Of Clarendon.-Ny lords, in r. ny qussr
ton OF my noble friend, have 70 inf nm a hat hsr
Msjestys Minister at Washington "a ont ~ WITH m
sruction he received from my noble hesu .or1 u kus
SELL and pursuance Of the desire Ofe President entered
into negotiation at Washington for making arrangements
bv which the commercial relations between the United
States and this country would be placed on better footing
Mr. CHAMPION received the most cord1 assurance Ton
both the President and the Secretary OF State Of their
ment in the views taken by the government and they
pressed their belief that the wshedfor convention mh
be concluded upon satisfactory terms. Mr. Crsmptor
thr Teouest prepared the project Of convention "a
which difficulty arose, and objections raised wls
were however considered in the most friendly spwss,
when The President in his annual message 10 Congrssb
declared that in his opinion the two subjectnsmey that
OF he fisheries and that ofthe reciprocity Of trade had bs
te1 be embodied in two separate treaties Mr. Crsmt"n
tatd that be had good for thinking that such pco
ston would be agreed to by her Msjesys government
NJ Champion project however sent home anh vts
agreed To- with sems notifications sussesea " 1se'~