New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-04-11


of the shores of tho British Provinces. That was not
concession by Great Britain restricting OF any nght
any privilege II was the renSneanon Wy as
in those fisheries which tho United states nad
enjoyed from the beginning, and which naa
been expressly recognized previous 70 inc treaty o. 100
within one marine league Of the coast. Under the Con
yenton Of 1878 the Americans still continued 10 hsn
until disturbances arose in 1901 when the froylhcls
Government claimed the right TO exclude American hsn
ermen to greater extent than three miles from the coast
putting upon that clause entirely new interpretation
namely that the line by which the three miles wore 70 DC
measured was to be drawn from headand to hcadand OF
all the buoys along the coast including tho great bay OF
Fundy the Bay of Chalcur Northumberland Straits, the
Strait OF Canso &c mat woalo nave excluded a si
can fishermen from some of tho most valuable fishing
grounds on that coast The American Government
never admitted tho justice of that Interpretation In
1916 by q remonstrance Of Mr. Stevenson the then MIN
ste to England the matter brought to the attention
Of the British Government. case was tnen maue
ND BIZ the provincial authorities and submitted to the law
officers of the Crown. On that case the law oteers de-
cidcd points;6rs that the treaty Of ao5 was an
nulled by the If 1912 and the treaty OF S4 second
that tho claim draw the line from headand to headand
of the great bays was good one Both points were &c
cded against the American claim; bnt the American gov
eminent refused recognize that decison and the Brts
Government waived it in 1886 so that the hsheos went
on. The Americans enjoyed them in common witn the
Proviucfas after the Convention Of 1913 until the Keel
procy Treaty of 1854. BY that treaty Americans were
again admitted to the exercise OF the ngh ana Were
allowed shalong coast without reference to
miles Jurisdiction That the state OF the case TIL the
Reciprocity Treaty abrogated. The American fishermen
thrown back the rights which they enjoyed pre-
vous TO the Reciprocity Treaty. The House would per,
ceye that some important questions Of construction would
arise under that state of things. 1t would become
question under which treaty we were now to ENJOY tae
right of fishing these coasts. The British claimed that
b. the Treaty Of 1914 the preceding Treaty OF 1903 was
annued but that claim could not be maintained, be,
cause il So then 10 equally clear that the Treaty OF
1878 must have been annued by the Treaty OF loo4 so
that they were thrown back either the original con-
cesson in the Treaty of 7S3 on the rights when were
enjoyed previous that time. Probably however tho
construction which both Governments would consent 20
put upon IL would be that by the nbogaon Of the Treaty
Of 1854 both parties we're thrown back on tho Convention
tsy ON their share Of the ea S 2nS 2 sgsa
that Convention, TO within three miles of the coast lie
had idea that the American Government would ever
consent the drawing of line from headland to head
land Of these great bays Such action was preposterous
In the decision given by the law-ocers Of the Crown,
they said THAI tho term "headand" used in the Treaty
OF 1878 evidently intended TO mean the headlands OF
those great bays But it happened that the term head
land was not in that Convention at all indicating great
careessness in the examination Of the casc. 49,
Mr. STEVENS inquired whether, under the Law OF Ma
tons, and without any treaty or convention, American
fishermen had not the night to nsh 70 WITHIN marine
league of the shorel
Mr. RAYMOND gave IL as his own opinion that all those
treaties abrogated and that fell back on the nights
which enjoyed before any treaty. According 10 the
Law Of Nations We had certainly the right to fish to
within marine league Of the shore all along the coast.
Mr.. PIKE stated that his object in offering the resou-
ton which formed the groundwork Of this preliminary re-
port was not beligerent There were 900 Amer
can vessels now on tho fishing grounds manned by
two energetic, quickwted men, and perhaps there was
an equal number Of British vessels there manned by men
Jealous Of their rights IL these parties were allowed 10
adudcate their claims il would be easily seen that
trouble might arise The Provincial Legislature proposed
10 have an armed police force there aud II was but night
that the American Government should have one or more
! armed vessels there to protect the peace
Mr.. RAYMOND simply desired 70 put the H9nse in pos
session of the leading facts Of tho Ho was not
aware that the British Government had given any official
information TO this Government OF the steps sTen IN
connection with the matter but be found IN The Lendon
Times of March H. in editorial article,
stng 20 the termination OF The Reciprocity Treaty. That
vessels OF had been placed on the coast TO protect the
British rights and to prevent collision and that the
American fishermen would be duly warned ard the exclu
sion of their boats enforced lie Of the opinion that
the only grounds which the British had any shadow OF
right to warn of fishermen the small strip OF
three miles from this coast lie thought It quite night
aud proper that tho British Government should send
armed vessels there TO &C, police and prevent collision
and no thought equally necessary and proper that our
Government should do the same. On that point
there no difference of opinion IN the
Committee Foreign Affairs. Iie had no
/ doubt that our Government had taken such steps.
Ho did not anticipate any collision, although he could
readily that If the claims OF each party pushed
TO 'h., artreme limits there would arise question which
might lead eventually 20 war; Our interests IN those
fisheries were well worth protecting at all costs aud
hazards, and 1t therefore important that there should
be sufficient force there protect them, and prevent
conflict while ego,iaons on the subject pending,
our Government saw fit 10 invite negotiations FOR tho
permanent security OF our rights lie had been instructed
quiry would meet with prompt response, and that tho
House would receive such Information as would serve as
basis for whatever action the House might think ht to
take II would be that steps had been taken TO So
cure our rights and information OF those steps would be
| very readily communicated.
Mr. RAYMOND then offered resolution requesting the
President 10 inform the House what steps have been
taken 20 protect the. rights aud interests OF American
citizens In the fishing grounds adjacent TO the British
Provinces and whether any legislation other action
part Of Congress is in his judgment necessary TO Sc
cure rights and interests in consequence Of the
abrogation Of the Reciprocity Treaty OF 1854.
Tho resolution was adopted
PRINTING REVENUE DOCUMENTS
Mr.. LAFLis from the Committee on Printing, reported
q resolr print for tho Of the House 600 extra
copies tor the use of the Treasury Department 1000
extra copies Of the special reports Of the United States
Revenue Commissioners in distilled spirits, petroleum,
proprietary medicines, iron and STEEL WOOL copper and
znc &C.
Mr. GARxIY1D moved to amend by requiring the Pub
lie Printer TO furnish complete index of the contents,
and said he would move similar amendment to all reso-
tions TO print pamphlets, &c. The amendment was
agreed to and the resolution adopted
COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS
The SPEAKER announced the following appointments to
fill vacancies in committees caused by MT hadford being
excused from service on them: On the Ccmmttee ON
Elections, Mr.. Nicholson; on the Committee'on the
Pacific Railroad, Mr.. IInbbell IN. ~.
LAND GRANTS TO SOUTHERN STATES.
Tho Speaker presented Message from the President
transmitting communication from tho Secretary of War;
with accompanying papers, IN relation TO grants OK and
made by acts OF Congress passed in the years 1850 1853
and 1856 to the States of Mississippi Alabama, Arkansas
Florida and Louisiana aid in the construction of
tain railroads These grants would expire by Limitation
the 18th of August 1866 leaving the roads for whose
benefit they were conferred in an unfinished condition.
and tho President recommends that the time within which
they must be completed shall be extended for period Of
FIVE years; which referred to the Committee on Pub
lie Lands.
THANKS TO GEN. HANCOCK.
Mr. AScoYA from the Committee Military Affairs,
reported back with substitute, the Joint resolution ex
pressiye OF the thanks of Congress 10 MaorGen. Han
cock for his gallant, mertorous, and conspicuous share,
in the great and decisive victory OF Gettysburg The sub
stitute was agreed to- and the resolution passed.
or CTA AIM