The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-09

~ bntss0 vessel, ana ne was eh0Wn 0 reBHser
issued by the collector q neighbonng port. Amin
quy was subsequently instituted by tho Controller
Of the Customs at Halifax, who reported that "the
certificate of registry the declaration, and bond ap-
peared, on the face of them to be perfectly correct
at the same time stating that 1t appeared somewhat
singular and extraordinary "that Mr. Heffernan, the
professed owner should become such, as declared by
him. Of three American vessels at the same period Of
time;" and he recommended that an application
should be made to the Collector of Gloucester in the
United States for the purpose OF whether
this vessel, and the other two owned by Hefernan,
had been struck off the list Of those belonging to the
port or whether the certificates Of registry had been
delivered up to be cancelled, and if he still considered
them as sailing under the American flag" A letter
to that effect sent to the British Minister at
Washington, but the result is not stated.
To correct this abuse which must have demo-
ralizing effect ppon the citizens and subjects of both
countries, Admiral Seymour suggests that " if the
necessity exists next season for protecting the
fisheries, the task will be much lightened if the fish
ing vessels OF certain tonnage are numbered, and
bear their numbers on their hull and malnsa like
the pilot vessels in the English channel which, with
q proper enforcement of the customs regulations,
and more care about granting British registers may
check the growing disposition to carry on an Ameri-
trade under British coors with the assistance of
the laboring fishermen, who are Indifferent under
what flag they serve"
Admiral Seymour and the officers under his com.
mand while they exercised great vigilance, acted
with corresponding prudence. On being informed
by several masters of American vessels that the cap
tains Of the revenue cruisers had given them notice
that they would seize any vessels found fishing with
In three miles Of line drawn from headlands great
distance apart, the Admiral forwarded their state
ments to the Governor of Nova Scotia, Who in reply
referred him to the instructions that had been given
to the revenue officers which he said contained "no
authority whatever, to act upon the British con-
struction of the convention, except where vessels
were actually found fishing within three marine miles
of the shore; the provincial government having
every desire to avoid controversy on the point then
under discussion between the government Of Great
Britain and that Of the United States" It may be
proper however, to add that the statements referred
to were not always correct; and Captain Laybold
states that che had refused to answer questions put
by several American masters, referring them to the
commanders of her Majestys ships for the informa-
ton they required, having reference to limits without
his jurisdiction"
But Captain Dodd, commanding one of those reve-
nue. cruisers stated that he did say to several Amer
can captains that he should draw q line from the
headands Of the coast and bays Of Cape Breton and
would seize all American vessels found trespassing
within three marine miles of such line until further
orders, as he conceived himself bound to do by his
Instructions in which he was referred to the conven-
ton of 1875 Three days after the date Of his letter
he received despatch, dated before that was written,
directing him not to detain vessels unless found tres
passing within three miles Of land, which orders he
replied should be strictly attended to.
The remaining documents chiefly refer to the case
Of the Helen Maria detained at the entrance Of the
Bay of Fundy, on suspicion Of having taken fish for
bait in Pubnico harbor; but which vessel was after
wards delivered up, on representation made by the
American consul at Halifax, Notwithstanding the
master had attempted to rescue his vessel while in
charge Of the officer Of the port to which she had
been carried.
The result Of the last years experience shows that
the fisheries may be amply protected, by stationing
whalebOats with active crews at certain prominent
roints with three or four vessels to cruise in the
ong, occasionally visiting these stat,vns Cornish
ing supplies.