The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-03
Extraordinary Naval Movements OF the British
and United States Governments.
OUR FISHERMEN TO Be FULLY PROTECTED
The Admiral Commanding the Squadron
to Have Summary Power to Act
IN an Emergency.
Correct List Of the Size and Strength
Of the Fleets.

The termination Of the Reciprocity treaty tho
threatened Fenian invasion of the British North Ameri
provinces impressed upon government the
sity, in the former case of the protection fisher
men, who have hitherto enjoyed the immunity OF fishing
In British waters which by the sudden termination OF
the treaty might lead many of those worthy fishermen
ignorant doubt OF the fact into encroaching upon
British and British so-caled rights and in the
second place enforce the observance neutrality and
prevention OF any act the part OF tho Fe
mans that might be construed into beui by Eng
lard. In the case OF tho fisheries the British govern
ment early comprehended the condition or things that
would probably in the event Of the renewal OF
the Reciprocity treaty and they therefore early deter
mined 10 augment and concentrate their British North
American squadron the strength OF which VIII be more
particularly described in the present article In addition 10
the immense regular naval sect the British home govern
ment has empowered the provinces equpt arm small
and sailing vessels styled "cuters which have for
their sole object the surveanc, of American fishermen
which, if found fishing in British watersvz, within
three leagues of British soilthey will be seized and
scated Many readers of the Herald well acquainted
with the petty annoyances TO which fishermen
subjected before the ratification of the treaty Just term
mated and II the provinces with the full assistance
OF the home government about TO inaugurate sim
lar SYSTEM only enlarged scale. At that time our
government gave very little if any attention TO the SUBJ
ject and only after repeated seizures Of the ves
sells Of poor unarmed fishermen that our govern
ment managed to send the old paddle-wheel steamer
American coast The present government appear to have
full appreciation or the interests OF fishermen and
have therefore determined TO send adequate naval
force to the East TO be ready act as circumstances may
require At first II was determined to send small feet
OF observation, but In a subsequent meeting OF
the President and his Cabinet il determined to send
force useful and ready for all practicable purposes II
owing to IA fact that Sir Frederick Bruce, afew
weeks sent word 70 Vice Admiral Hope to concen
rate the British West India feet with that OF the feet
then the North American coast This action the
part of the British Minister at Washington promptly
met by Secretary Of the Navy who ordered Admiral
Palmer with his squadron, returnto this country and
repair to the Eastern fishing grounds In compliance
with this order the Rhode Island with the Admiral
board arrived in Now York from st. Thomas day before
yesterday. He proceeded at TO Washington for
instructions, after which he will return to his flagship
and proceed TO Eas;port. the future rendezvous and
depot OF the fleet The sloops of war Monongahea and
the departure Of the Rhode Island from that place
They will go Boston to get stores and then proceed
Eastport The sloopof- war Richmond is equipping
at Boston, and will be completed in about a month.
When she shall have joined the squadron Admiral Palmer
will transfer his flag from the Rhode Island to her
IL will no doubt be gratifying TO readers peruse
the comparative lists of the British and American fleets
that will be uisG-vis during the ensuing summer.
THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN SQUADRON.
SubOincd Is accurate list of the British North
American squadron, under the command OF Vice Ad-
miral Sir James Hope, O. c. b. mp TO the 18th
OF last April The list comprises many vessels that
properly belong to the British West india squadron
but the homo government has ordered them TO be
soidated with the North American squadron for rea
sons best known thcmselycs:-