The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-29
THE DUCK WAR.
A Letter to Governor Bowie.
HAvRE DE GRACE, Nov. 26, 1876

uANhE Db NhACB, INON. 80, lOlO.
HessTs. Editors Baltimore Americdn:-
There is in this town population OF three
thousand people, all of whom are directly or
indirectly interested in the taking of wild fowl.
The $50 called) officers of the law have been
trampling rough-shod over every right and pri-
vilege which belongs to the people at this point
AS Democrat regret to say that the Demo-
cratic press is closed against any communica-
tion which would convey to the public eye q
sense of the distress in this neighborhood, or
would operate in any manner to the interests of
this people, while it readily publishes any defa-
matory article replete with such terms as
''tbieves," "poaehers," and ''river pirates"
/ append letter to the Governor, based upon
the opinion of an eminent lawyer of Maryland,
which desire the people to see:-
HAvRE-DE-GRACE November 1S, 1S70.-His
EXcellency Oden Bowie, Governor of Maryland
My Dear Sir:-I would respectfully direct
in this trouble, which think require the no.
tice and the interposition of the Executive
power. In article 9S of the Code the right is
clearly reserved to 'any citizens of any counties
bordering on the waters of the State of Mary
land to shoot from boats other than sink boats
or sneak boats, within distance of one hun
dred yards from the natural shore" This right
clearly belongs to amy citizens of any counties
bordering on the waters aforesaid, aud not as
II has been represented, exclusively to those
"owning lands upon the shores"
The people at this point receive no protection
In the exercise of this right, and are prohibited
leges of the bay. To shoot ducks as permitted
by the provisions of the law requires the use of
boats and decoys. The officers of the law as
sumo that the presence of a gun or duck in
any boat is prima facie evidence of guilt against
the person in possession although the law re-
quiTes the finding of such boats or crafts en-
ployed in the violation of the law, or in the use
and possession OF the person who has been
charged with violating the law, upon the view
of the officer or upon satisfactory information.
These men are too poor TO sustain actions
against the officer when he goes beyond his
duty and ask you to obtain from your Attorney
General an opinion which will simplify and de-
fine the law, and protect them and their boats
and guns and decoys when it is not known by
the officer, either upon his own view or informa-
tiOn received, that the parties have violated, OF
their property been used IN violation or the law.
This is asked to prevent vessels from being
boarded engaged in a legitimate prosecution oi
their duties and legal rights.
! would also communicate that, in pursuance
of some cunniDgly devised scheme, by which
Commander Davidson has been deceived, Q
steamer belonging to the ''Oyster Fleet" with
q cannon mounted upon her deck and a large
crew of men, anchored on two several occasions
in the waters of the harbor. Several attempts
by parties FROM the steamer were made tC
arrest parties passing in boats. The sloop-scow
of Captain Henry Moore, trading under the flag
and license OF the United States, was boarded
by armed men aud searched against his protest
A number OF small boats were holly pursued
and a general CONSERVATION prevailed upoI
shores at what might be the fate of those
upon the water.
| perimenting most dangerously with the temper
and liberties of this whole community. Tn,
people are willing to abide the restrictions o
article 96, and pay the penalties should they In
advertenty, or by necessity, violate the provi
sions OF that article. But, as free men, do yoI