The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-06

whole or . share of its jurisdiction or
control of these fishing grounds
to the colonial authority known
As the Dominion of Canada, and this
seems Independent. But this semi-.nde-
pendent and irresponsible agent has exer
cised its delegated powers, however,
in an unfrlendly way vessels have been
seized without notice or warning, in viola
ton of the custom generally prevailing,
and have been taken into the conlonial
ports, their voyages broken up, end the
vessels condemned. There is reason to
believe that their unfriendly and vexa.
tious treatment was designed to bear
harshly upon the hardy fishermen of the
United States, with . view of political
effect upon the Government. The statutes
Of the Dominion Of Canada assume a still
broader and moro uutenable jurisdiction
over tho vessels of the United Ststes.-
They authorize officers or persons to bring
vessels lowering within three marine
miles of any of the coast bays, creeks. or
harbors Of Canada into port, to search the
cargo, to examine the master ON oath
touching the cargo and the voyage, and to
infict upon him heavy pecunisry penal.
~ il true answers are not given; and if
such . vessel il found preparing to fsh
within three miles of any of such coasts,
bays, creeks or harbors without license,
or after the expiration of the period nam
| ed in the list Of licenses granted to it
They provide that the vessel, with her
tackle, &c, shall be forfeited. 1t is not
known that any COMBINATIONS have been
Ia ,ndop thatr k.tn Ghnut4 hn
| authorities of Canada attempt to enforce
| it, it will become my duty to take such
| steps a. may be necessary to protect the
rights of the citixeus Of the United States.
| 1t has been claimed by Her Majesty's Off
GERS that the fishing vessels of the United
States have no right to enter the open
ports of the British Possessions in North
America except for the purpose of shelter
and repairing damages, Of purchasing
| wood and obtaining water that they Rave
no right to enter at the British custom
houses. or trade, except the pur-
that these must depart within
twenty -four hours after notice to leave. 1t
| is not known that any seizure of fishing
vessel carrying the Gag of the United
States has been made under this claim
| So far - the claim 10 founded on the al
legged construction Of the Convention of
1878, it cannot be acquiesced in BY the Uni
ted States. 1t ia hoped that it will not be
insisted on by Her Aajesty's Government.
During the conference which succeeded
the negotiation Of the Conven-
tion of 1915, the British Commits
sionerproposed to expressly and exclude
the fishermen of the United States from
, the privilege Of carrying on trade with
any of Her Britanic Majesty's subjects re-
siding within the limits assigned for their
| use, and also that it should not be lawful
| for the vessels of the United States en-
gagged in such fishery to have on board
any goods, wares or merchandising what
| ever, except such as may be necessary for
the protection of their voyages to and from
said fishing grounds, and any ves-
sci of the United States which
shall contraveIt this regulation may
may be seized, condemned, and coRfscated
with her cargo. This proposition, which
is identical with the construction now
put upon the language of the Convention,
was emphatically rejected by the Ameri
| can Commissioner, and therefore was
abandoned by the British plenIpotcntiary,
and article A, as it stands In the ConGen-
ton, was substituted. Ii. however, it be
said that this claim is founded on pro-
vencial or colonial statutes and not upon
| the Convention, this Government cannot
| but regard them Is unfriendly and in con-
travention of the spirit if not the letter
| of the treaty for the faithful execution Of
of which the imperial government 10 alone
responsible. Anticipating that An attempt
may possibly be made by the Canadian
| authorities, in the coming session to re-
peat their unneighborly act towards or,
fishermen, recommend you to
confer upon the executive the power
to suspend by proclamation the
operation Of the laws authorizing the
| transit Of goods, wares and merchandise
| in bond, across the territory of the Uni
! ted States to Canada further, should
| such an extreme measure become
| necessary to suspend the operation
! of any laws whereby the vessels Of
the Dominion of Canada are permitted TO
| enter the waters of tue United States.
NAVIGATION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE
A like unfrierdly disposition has been
manifested on the part of Canada in the
maintenance Of q claim of the right to e1-
clude vessels ofthe United States from the
nsvigs ion of the st. Lawrence. This river
| constitutes q natural outlet to the ocean
| for the States, with an aggregate populs-
! ton of 17,800,000 inhabitants, and with
| an aggregate of tonnage Of e6l, 1867 tons
upon the water. " hich discharge into it.
| The foreign commerce Of these ports in
| these waters, is open TO Brit
ish competition. and the major
| part Of it 10 done in British bottoms
| If the American sean "a are excluded from
this natural avenue to the ocean the nature
| Of the direct commerce would be parted
| with, the Atlantic would be in foreign
| hands. their vessel on transatlantic yoy-
| ages having an access 70 our lake ports
| which would be denied TO American yes
sells on similar voyages. To stats such .
proposition 10 to refute its justice.
During the administration Of Mr.. John
Quincy AdamA Mr. Clay unquestionably
demonstrated the natural right Of the Cit
| liens Of the United States to the navisa-
ton Of this nver. claiming the 81 Of
the Congress Of Vienna on opening the
Rhine and other rivers to ali natioAs,
| showed the judgment Of European jurists
| and statesman that the inhabitanb Of .
country through which . Hayigabls river
pa0es have . natarA right TO
| enjoy Tie navisatiO1 Of that
| river - end ints the -. even through
the territory ofaHothsr power. This right
does not sxclsde the ee-equal right Of the
sevsesiea powers in the Territory threuGh
| which the river dsbouches into the -,
70 make such regulation relative 70 the
policy Of the navigation, - nay be reason
| ably necessary. But thoss regulations
| should be framed in . liberal spirit Of
comfy, and should impose 10 nssdls0
burdens upsn the commerce which he's thu
| right Of Hansit ID hAs been found in
practice mere sdvantagesna. to strange
these regulations BY mutual agreement The
United btates are ready to make any rea-