Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-26
THE FISHERY ooRREsp0NDENcE

THE FISHERI CORRESPOADENCE.
The following is a summary of the cores
pondence between Secretary Fish and Minis
ter Thornton in relation to the Canadian
Fisheries. . .t4
The Presidents message and accompanying
documents have been printed. Among the
latter is the correspondence with regard to
the fisheries. This began on April first by a
letter from Secretary Fish to Minister Thorn
ton, informing him that information had
reached the department that it had been an
nounced in the Canadian parliament that it
was the intention of the Canadian government
to issue no more licenses to foreign fishermen
and take every step possible to protect their
fisheries, and asking him to communicate
such information as he might have concerning
any official action having the force of law or
valid regulations, on the part of the Canadian
authorities, in this direction.
The next day Mr.. Thornton replied that al
though aware of the announcement in the
Canadian parliament, he had not received Of
fetal information on the subject, nor did he
know of any recent law or regulations issued
on the subject of the fisheries.
On the l4th of April Mr.. Thornton sent to
the Secretary of State memorandum of the
prime minister of the Dominion and copy Of
the fishery acts of 1868. The law is long,
but the point of the memorandum is in a
quotation from the order of the governor
general in council disseminating the granting
of fishery licenses to foreign vessels, declar-
ing that henceforth all foreign fishermen be
prevented from fishing in the waters of Cana
da, and providing that six vessels in addition
to the two already employed be equipped for
the protection of the inshore fisheries against
illegal Entertainments by foreigners. 1t was
added that commanders would have magisterial
powers. and be instructed to act with the
greatest discretion and only in cases of the
clearest infringement of the law.
On the 2lst of April Mr.. Fish acknowledge
ed the receipt of the documents, and invited
the attention Of the minister and of Her
Majesty's authorities particularly to the order
that henceforth all foreign fishermen be pre-
vented from fishing in the waters of Canada,
which he said seemed to contemplate inter-
ference with the rights granted to the United
States under the first article of the treaty of
1918, which secures to Americans the right of
fishing in certain waters understood to be
claimed at present as belonging to Canada.
On the 22d, Mr.. Thornton, in acknowledge
ment OF the note, said he would forward
copy to the governor general, but expressed
his own conviction that there was not the
slightest intention of abridging the right of
citizens of the United States.
On May Is Mr.. Thornton sent to the Sec
rotary of State various dispatches from the
governor-general of Canada, comprising the
full report of the committee of the privy
council on the subject of Mr.. Fishs note, in
winch they express concurrence in the views
OF the minister Of the marine and fisheries.
who argues from the text of the order that it
was not intended TO interfere with the legal
right OF citizens Of the United States as Sc
cured BY the treaty, and Dir. Thornton's as
surancc TO Secretary Fish TO that effect was
quite right The minister OF marine also
says: Mr Fish is incorrect in supposing the
present boundaries Of the Dominion comprise
any fishing grounds affected by the treaty
stpulations not formerly within the bounds OF
the old province.
On the goth Of May Mr. Thornton sent As
sistant- Secretary Davis copy Of the amend
m mt Of fisheries act, adopted on the l2h.
authorizing the seizure, search and forfeiture
Of craft found in prohibited waters.
On the 10Th Of MAY Mr.. Thornton sent Sec
rotary Fish copies of the instructions issued
ny the home government to the vice. admiral
commanding the naval forces in American
waters, directing him to detach sufficient
force TO Canadian waters to protect the fisher
men and main ain order, and TO instruct the
commander OF the forces to cooperate cordi-
ally with any United States force sent on the
same service. In one Of these letters, dated
April 30, 1t is said that the Canadian COVE
ment has recently determined, with the con
currence Of Her Majesty's ministers, to in