Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-12-14

the private claims as we'll as the responsible
control of all the demands against Great
Britain. 1t cannot be necessary to add that
whenever Her Majesty Government shall
entertain a desire for a tull and friendly al
justment of these claims, the United States
will enter upon their consideration with an
earnest desire for a conclusion consistent
with the honor and dignity of both nations.
CANADIAN FIsHERIEs.
The course pursued 10y the Canadian au-
thorities toward the fishermen of the United
States during the past season has not been
marked by friendly feeling. BY the fist
article of the Convention OF 1918 between
Great Britain aud the United States, il was
agreed that the Inhabitants Of the United
States should have forever, in common with
British subjects, the right of taking fish in
certain waters therein defined In the wa
tiers not included in the limits named in
the Convention within three miles of
parts of the British COAST, has been the
custom for twenty years to give to intrudng
fishermen of the United States reasonable
warning Of their violation OF the technical
rights of Great Britain. The Imperial Gov
erntnent Is understood to have delegated the
whole or share OF its jurisdiction or con
trn! OF these in-shore fishery grounds to the
colonial authority known as the Dominion Ct
Canada, and this semi independent but ire
spOnsIu!e agent has exercised its delegated
powers in an unfriendy way. Vessels have
been seized without notice or warning, in vi
oiation OF the custom previously prevailing,
and have been taken lnto the colonial ports,
their voyages broken Up, and the vessels
condemned.
There is reason to believe that this un-
friendly and vexatious treatment was de
signed to bear harshlY upon the hardy fish,
crmen Of the United States, with Il view TO
political effect upon this Government The
statutes of the Dominion of Canada assume
a still broader, more unrenable jurisdiction
over the vessels of the United States. They
authorize officers or persons TO bring vessels
lowering within three marine miles of any
0t the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors, of
Canada, into port to search the cargo to
examine the master on oath touching the
cargo and voyage, and to inilict upon him a
heavy pccuuiary penalty il true answers are
not given. And If such vessel is found
preparing TO fish within three marine
miles of any such coasts bays, creeks, or
harbOrs, without license, or after the ex-
piration of the period named in the last Il
cenSe granted to it, they provide that the
vessel, with her tackle Ne, shall be forfeit.
ed. 1t Is not known that any conde NINA
tons have been made under this statute.
Should the authorities OF Canada attempt
to enforce it, it will rcccrle nly oHTg To take
such steps as may he necessary 10 protcc'
the rights OF the citizens OF tie United
States.
1t has been claimed by her maiesty's off
cials that the fishing ve>Sel1 of the United
States have no right to enter the open ports
of the British Possessions of North Ameri
ca, except tor the purpose of shelter aud
repairing damages, for purchasing wood and
obtaining water; that they have no right to
enter at the British Custom Houses, or to
trade there except for the purchase of wood
and water; aud thatIhey must depart with
in ~ hours after notice to leave. 1t is not
known that any seizure of fishing vessel
carrying the flag of the United States has
been made under this claim So tar as the
claim Is founded on an alleged construction
of the Convention of 1918, II cannot be ac
guessed in by the United States. 1t is
hoped that it will not be insisted on by Her
Majesty's Government.
During the conference which preceded the
negotiation Of the Convention of 1918, the
British Commissioners proposed to express
ly exclude the fishermen Of the United
States from the privilege of carrying on
trade with any Of His Brit;annic Majesty $
subjects residing within the limits assigned
for their use; and also, that 1t should not
be lawful for the vessels OF the United
States engaged in such fishery, to have on
board any goods, wares, or merchandise
Whatever, except such as may be Necessary
for he prosecution OF their voyages TO and
from said fishing grounds; and any vessel
Of the United States which shall contravene
this regulation may be seized, conscmned,
i I.4,.
proposition, which is identical with the con.
strUctiun now put upon the language of the
Convention. was emphaticaly rejected by
the American Commission, and, thereupon,
was abandoned by the British Plenipoten
,iaries; and the Article |, as it stands in
the Convention, was substituted IT, how
ever, it be said that this claim is founded on
Provincial or Colonial statutes, and not up
on the Convention, this Government cannot
bat regard them as unfriendiy, and in con
travention Of the spirit,if not of the letter,
OF the treaty, for the faithful execution of
which the Imperial Government is alone re-
spOnSlbc.
Anticipating that an attempt may possibly
be made by the Canadian authorities In the
coming season, to repeat their unneighbOr-
Is acts toward our fishermen, | recommend
you 60 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 United States to Canada /;
and further should such an extreme mea-
sure become necessary, to suspend the op-
Grafton OF any laws whereby the vessels OF
the Dominion of Canada are permitted to
enter the waters of the United States.
NAVIGATION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER
4 like unfriendly disposition has been
manifested on the part Of Canada in the
maintenance of Il claim Of right to exclude
the citizens of the United States from the
navigation of the St. Lawrence. This river
constitutes natural outlet to the ocean for
eight states, with an aggregate population
of about II 900, 0UO inhabitants, and with
an aggregate tunnage of Col 367 tuns upon
the waters which discharge into it, The
foreign commerce of our orts on these wa
ters Is open to British competition, and the
major part of it is done in British bottoms.
If the American seaiEen be excluded from
natural avenue to the ocean, the monopoly
of the direct commerce of the lake ports
with the Atlantic would be in foreign hands;
their vessels on trans Atlantic voyages hav-
ing an access to our lake ports which wonld
be denied to American vessels on similar
voyages. To state such proposition is to
refute its Justice During the Adn.inistra-
ton OF Mr.. John Qunincy Adams, Mr.. Clay
unoua.tional,Iy demonstrated rho national