The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-12-09

parallel, and that the line when run on what Is
now supposed 10 DO the true position OF that
parallel would leave the fort Of the Hudson Day
Company at Pembina within the territory Of the
United States This information being commu-
nicated to the British Government, was re-
quesied 10 consent, and did consent. that the
British occupation OF the fort OF the Hudson
Bay Company should continue for the present.
deem Il important. however, that this part Of
the boundary line should be definitely fixed by
. joint commission Of the two governments. and
submit herewith the estimates Of the expense
Of such commission on the part Of the United
States, and recommend an appropriation for
that purpose. The land boundary has already
been fixed and markell from the summit Of the
Rocky Mountains to, the Georgian, Bay. IL
should be now in like manner marked from the
Lake Of the Woods To the summit Of the Rocky
Mountains.
TIE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
I regret to say that no conclusion has been
reached for the adjustment Of the claims against
Great Britain, growing out Of the course adopt
ell by that during the rebellion. The Cabinet OF
London, 20 Car as its views have been expressed,
Majesty's government was guilty OF negligence,
or did, or permitted any act, during the war, by
which the United States has just cause OF COM
plant. The ever 6rm and unalterable convic-
tons are directly the reverse. l therefore rec
ommend to Congress to authorize the appoint
ment Of q commission. 10 take proof Of the &C
counts and the ownerships Of the private claims,
as we'll as the responsible control Of all the de-
mands against Great Britain. II cannot be
necessary TO add that whenever her Majcsty's
government shall entertain the desire for full
and friendly adjustment Of the claims, the
United States win enter upon their considers
ton with an earnest desire for conclusion,
consistent with the honor and dignity Of both
nations.
TIE FisnISG TRouBLEs.
The course pursued by the Canadian authori-
ties toward the fishermen Of the United States
during the past season has not been marked by
q friendly feeling. by the first article Of the
convention Of 1918, between Great Britain and
the United States, II was agreed that the in-
habitants Of the United States should have for
ever in common with British subjects the right
Of taking fish in the waters therein defined. In
the waters not included in the limits named in the
convention within three miles Of parts ofthe Brit
ish coast. II has been the custom for many years
to give to intrading fishermen Of the United
States reasonable warning Of their violation Of
the technical rights Of Great Britain. The lm-
perial government is understood to have ielega-
ted the whole. or share Of its jurisdiction, or
control, Of these inshore fisheries grounds TO the
colonial authority, known as the Dominion OF
Canada, and this semi-independent, but ire
sponsible. agent has exercised its delegated pow
ers in an unfriendly way. Vessels have been
seiied without notice or warning in violation Of
the custom previously prevailing, and have been
taken into the colonial ports, their voyages
broken up and their vessels condemned. There
Is reason TO believe that this unfriendly and
yexstious treatment was designed 10 bear harsh
ly upon the hardy fishermen Of the United
States, with view TO political effect upon this
government. The statutes Of the Dominion Of
Canada assumes still broader and more un-
tenable jurisdiction over the vessels Of the Unit
ell States. They authorize officers or persons to
bring vessels lowering within three marine miles
Of any Of the coasts, bays, creeks or harbors Of
Canada into ports, to search the cargo, to eI-
anime the master under oath, TO charge the
cargo and voyage and to infict upon him a
heavy pecuniary penalty II true answers are not
given. and IL such vessel is found preparing
10 fish" within three marine miles of any such
coasts, bays, creeks or borders without IL
cense, or after the expiration Of the period
named in the last licerse granted to 1t, they
provide that the vessel with her tackle, &C, &C.,
shall be forfeited. II is not known that any
condeinnatons have been made under this stat
ute. Should the authorities Of Capada attempt
to enforce IL, II viii become my duty to take
such steps as may be necessary to protect the
rights ofthe citizens Of the United States.
II has been claimed by Her Majesty's officers
that the fishing yesselsof the United States have
no right to enter the open ports Of the British
possessions In North America, except fr the
purposes Of shelter and repairing damages, Of
purchasing wood and obtaining water that
they have no right to enter at the British Gus
tom houses, or to trade there, except for the
purchase Of wool and water. and that they
must depart within twenty -four hours after no
tice TO leave. II is not known that any seizure
Of fishing vessel carrying the United States
flag has been made under this claim. So far ss
the claim is found an alleged construction Of
the convention Of 1918 can not be acquiesced
in by the United States. II is hoped that II
will not be insisted upon by Her Msjesty's Gov
eminent.
During the conference which preceded the
negotiation Of the convention Of 1918 the Brit
ish Commissioners proposed to expressly exclude
the fishermen Of the United States from the
privilege Of carrying on trade with any Of her
Britanic Majesty subjects residing within the
limits assigned for their use, and also that IL
should not be lawful for the vessels of the Unit
ell States engaged In the said fishery to have on
hoard any food, wares or merchandise whatever,
except such as might be necessary for the pros
ecution Of their voyages TO and from said fishing
grounds; and any vessel Of the United States
which shall contrcvent this regulation may be
seired, condemned and con6scated with her
cargo. This proposition, which Is identical with
the construction now Put upon the language OF
the convention. was emphatcally rejected by
the American Commissioner, and hereupon was
abandoned by the British Pienipotentiary, and
article as Il stands in the convention was sub
stituted. II, however. II is said that this claim
is founded on provincial or colonial statutes,
and not upon the convention, this Government,
cannot but regard II rs unffiendly, and in con-
trayention Of the spirit, ifnot ofthe letter Of the
treaty, for the faithful execution Of which the
Imperial Government is alone responsible.
SOME GRAVE ISSUES PROPOSED.
Anticipating that an attempt may possibly be
made by the Canadian authorities In the COM
ing season to repeat their unneighborly net
toward our fishermen, recommend you to
confer upon the Executive the power to suspend
by PROCLAMATION the operation Of the laws au-
thoriring the transit Of goods, wares and mer-
chandise In bond across TO the territory OF the
United States and Canada, and further should
such an extreme measure becoming necessary
to suspend the operation Of any laws whereby
the vessels Of the Dominion OF Canada are per-
mitted to enter the waters Of the United States.
NAVIGATION OF THE 1T. LAWRENCE.
like unfriendly disposition has been mani.
Tested on the part OF Canada In the maintenance
OF claim To the right To exclude the citizens Of
the United States nom the navigation Of the 81.
Lawrence. This river constitutes naval outlet
To the ocean for eight States, with an aggregate
population ofabout II ,6oO 600 abtants and with
am aggregate tonnage Of B,sil 351 tons upon the
waters which discharge into IL. The foreign
commerce OF our ports In these waters Is open 10
British competition, and the major part of it is
done In British bottoms 1.-THE American sea-
men la excluded nom tins national avenue 10
the ocean, the monopoly OF the direct commerce
OF the lake ports with the Atlantic would
be In foreign hands, their vessels transatlantic
voyages having an access To our lake ports, which
-