The Lincoln County herald., 1870-12-15

81 bjects, the right Of taking fish iu Ger
tain waters therein dehncd-iD the waters
not included in the limits named in the
and within three miles Ct
ports of the British coast. II has been
the custom for many years TO give intrud
ing fishermen Of the United states a rea
sonable warning Of the violation of the
technical rights Of Great Britain. The
imperial government is understood to
have delegated the whole Of these shore
fishery grounds to the colonial authority
known as the Dominion Of Canada, aud
this semi independent, but irresponsible
agent, has exercised its delegated powers
in an uuiricndly way. Vessels have been
seized without notice or warning, in vio-
lation of the custom previously prevail
ing, and have been taken into tue colonial
parts, aud Il cir voyages broken up, and
the vessel condemned. There is reason
to believe that this unfriendly and vexa-
tious treatment was designed to bear
harshly upon the hardy fishermen OF the
United States. with view Of political
effect upon this government
The statutes OF the Dominion Of Canada
assume q still broader and more un'ena.
Bile jurisdiction over the vessels Of the
United States. They authorize officers
or pers ,ns to bring vessels lowering
within three marine miles Of any Of the
coasts, bays creeks or harbors Of Canada,
into port to search the cargo 10 exam
inc the master on oath t,uching the cargo
and voyage, and to inHict upon him
heavy pecuuiary penalty If true answers
are not given and if such a vessel is
found preparing to fish within the marine
miles Of any such coasts, bays. creeks or
harbors without license, or after the
expiration tf he period named in the
last license granted to it, they provide
that the vessel with her tackle, otc +,
etc, shall be forfeited.
1t is not known that any condemnations
have been made under this statute
Should the authorities Of Canada attempt
to enforce it, il will become my duty to
take such steps as may be necessary to
protect the rights Of the citizens OF the
United States. 1t has been claimed by
her majesty's officers that the fishing
vessels Of the United States have no right
to enter the open ports of the British
possessions 10 North America, except for
the purposes Of shelter and repairing dam
ages, of purchas ing wood aud obtaining
water, and that they have no right to
enter at the British custom houses or ia
trade, except the purchase Of wood and
water, and that they must depart within
n twenty four hours after notice to leave
4 1t is not known tina. any seizure of d
fishing vessel, carrying the flag Of the
n United States, has been made under thi'
). claim. So far NJ the claim il founded nI
q the alleged construction of the conven
r ton of 1918, it cannot be acquiesced II
by the United States. 1t is hoped tina
it will not be insisted on BY her majesty
government. During the conference
Z which preceded the negotiltion OF tn
o convention of 1878, the British commits
'e sioners proposed to expressly exclude tn
ID fishermen Of the United Sta es from tn
Is privilege of carrying on trade with an
O Of his Britanio mujesty's subjects resd
10 ing within the limits assigned for the'
~ use, also that it should not be lawful TO
IL the vessels of the United States, engage
~ in such fishery, to have on board an
i" goods, wares or merchandise whateve
s' except such as may be necessary for tn
10 prosecution of their voyages to aud fro'
eo said fishing grounds, and uny vessel
ne the United States which shall contraveI
o. this regulation uay be seized condemne
Dc aud cont niscated with her cargo.
u, fhis position, which is identical vii
10 the construction now put upon the la'
on ruage Of the convention was emphatic
u ally rejected by the American comm,
y" ioner and thereupon was abandoned
M the British pleuipotentiaries. and arti'
10; one, as it stands in the convention, "
no stiituted. IF however, it be said III
u, this claim is founded on provincial
i'u colonial statues, and not upon the CO
lno vention, this government can but rega
Inc them as unfriendly and in contraventi
of the spirit If not the letter the
treaty, for the faithful execution
has which the imperial government is alc
the responsible.
out Anticipating that an attempt may p
ent s,bly be made.by the Canadian aulhor''
OF in the coming season to repeat their
cen neie hborly act toward our fishermen
ing recommend you to confer upon the Ex
ent tive the power to suspend by proc'au
per- ton the operation of the laws auttori.
itch the transit of goods, wares and merch
ON disc in bond across the territory OF
my United States to Canada. And furtt
and should such an extreme measure bec'
to necessary, to suspend the operation Of
MS laws whereby the vessels Of the Dom'r
the Of Canada are permitted to enter
to waters Of the United States.
~ A like unfriendly disposition has
We" e una snifested on the part Of Canada in
oy maintenance Of . claim Of right to
nmen' m cluds the citizens Of the United 81
va.s ., from the navigation Of the St. Lawre
'"o' This river constitutes natural outle
y; y. the ocean for eight States. with an ag