The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-23
The Fisheries.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.


There has rarely been worse managed affair than
the fishery question. Before any interference had
taken place last year with American fishermen, who
had been in the habit Of pursuing their operations
without interruption molestation, information was
communicated, through the columns of the HERALD,
Of its being the intention of the British government
to send out fleet Of war steamers for the purpose OF
enforcing the convention Of lsls by which vessels
Of the United States would be prevented from part-
cpatng in the mackerel fishery; and on their arrival
manifesto issued by the late Mr. Webster, then
Secretary Of State denouncing the movement of the
government of England and insisting upon the in
herent right of the American fishermen to draw from
the vastly Deep the fnny inhabitants Of the watery
element wherever they can be taken. Negotiations
were then entered into by the successor Of that
statesman and Mr. Champion the British Minister at
Washington, based upon reciprocity as quid pro
quo; which, as was to be foreseen, resulted in la
mentable failure, wanting as it did the sanction Of
Congress. Application was then made to that body,
the part of the Secretary Of State for authority to
treat with England separately on the subject Of the
fisheries, which was never granted and consequently
negotiations came to o " dead lock-" it being well
understood that the British government would come
to no arrangement in which the interests of the pro-
vinces shall not be consulted, and that it will not
deal with the question Of the fisheries unless ii goes
hand and band with reciprocity of trade between the
colonies and the United States which it will be re.
collected was avorably reported upon by Mr.. Sey-
mour, chairman of the Committee OF Commerce, and
which he contrved to get before the House Of Repre-
sentatives by sort of " sdewind," but at SO late
period OF the session that the subject was only taken
up incidentally, and could not receive that deliberate
consideration to which subject Of such moment was
entitled
Besides which, in framing his report, which was
r1.<
Seymour had to yield to the narrow minded aud con-
tracted views of those who advocated the coal and
lumber interests; and with reference to the latter
although the free admission OF colonial lumber to
be made consequent upon the withdrawal Of the duty
at present levied on lumber foated down the St.
John at the port of shipment the report was assa-
ed by the delegates from Maine in the House with
the most determined and vruent opposition.
With reference to coal, as we stated at the time,
that mineral must be included in any treaty for reci
procity to which Great Britain will agree; and it is
also concession that is due to the inhabitants Of
seaboard, who taxed at an enormous rate by the
railroad and coal mining companies; and if there Is
article which could be admitted upon reciprocaly
advantageous conditions, it is that Invaluable pro.
duction Of nature Providence has ordained that,
while the coal which has hitherto been discovered in
the United States is principally anthracite, and high
y useful for foundries and steam machinery, and il
permitted to be introduced free of duty into the
British prov nces would soon become favorte arti-
Gle OF fuel with families there, in Nova Scotia and
New Brunswick it is bituminous, and absolutely
necessary for the manufacture of gas, with which, or
other gaseous substance anthracite requires to
be mixed. Already reciprocal trade Is springng
up with the latter province in this article as we
learn from the report of Mr. Andrews that in 1851
enc hundred and ninety-fve tons of bituminous
COAL shipped from the pot Of st. John to the United
States In exchange for eighteen hundred and sixteen
imported in return.
Whatever may have been the feeling of members
generally on the subject of reciprocty-and we be-
leve had the question been brought to q vote that
I'm n. ~ thn nAscn kno +.
vor-the obstacles which were thus thrown In the
way together with the pressure Of business ut the
close OF session, threw it for another year. and
left the fishermen Of the Eastern States without re-
dress during that period and in state of uncertain
ty which must materially affect their prospects,
with reference to the mackerel fishery at least.
On the other hand we perceive that the British
provinces are acting with the greatest unanimty on
the present occasion. Canada, relying upon the CON
tnued action of the government OF the mother coun-
try, has determined upon substituting steamer dur
ing the approaching summer for the sailing vessel
employed last year, which will sweep the extensive
coast within It's jurisdiction, embracing the best
mackerel ground. The Legislature of Nova Scotia
has applied for continuance of the protection from
England which was afforded last year; q bill has
been introduced 10 prevent frauds being practised
by the transfer of American fishing vessels and inter.
ests into Ostensbly British hands; continuation of
the provincial cruisers four in number, Is provided
for; and tits proposed to grant bounty OF fifteen
sbilliDgs per ton all vessels engaged in the cod
fishery between January and June And, finally,
the House OF Assembly Of New Brunswck-which
province does not send forth fishing smack its ex-
tensive eastern seaboard where the fisheries could
be carried on to the greatest advantage, and even
IN tne Bay OF Fundy the dcepsea fishery Is confined
TO the islands of Grand Manan, Campo Bella and
west Isles, at its entrance-bave entertained bill
containing the most stringent provisions, so much
So that clause has been added to prevent its going
INTO ooperision until the Queens appreciation shall
have been bad and declared.
During all this mote Of preparation, 1.-THE interests
OF the American fishermen are conHded TO an Exc
cutive that Il powerless to act and which cannot oe
gotiatc treaty until there is action of Con
gress to which it is probable the British government
will accede.
Gov. Manning, Of South Carolina has parlonod
Col Il. T. Ware, who convicted of the murder OF
Capt, Jones, his fatherin-law. The pardon was
prnnte1 TO the innnrfnnies of Mr. Wnrn urho ,,.,n