Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-12-09
TIE NA-uRALIzAr1oN TREATY.

The ratifcations of the naturalization
treaty between Great Britain and the
United States have also been exchanged
during the recess, and thus a long stand
ing dispute between the two Govern
ments has been settled IN accordance
with the principles always contended for
by the United States.
NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY.
In April last, whilst engaged in locat-
ing a military reservation near Pembina,
a corps of engineers discovered that the
commonly received boundary line be
tween the United States and the British
possessions at that place, is about 400
feet south of the true position of the
Aoth parallel, and that the line when
run on what IS now supposed to be the.
true position of that parallel, would
leave the Fort of the Hudson Bay Com
pany at Pembina, within the territory of
the United States. This information
being communicated to the British Gov
eminent, ] was requested to consent and
| did consent that the British occupa-
ton Of the Fort of the hudson Bay
Company should continue for the pres
ent- deem it important, however, that
this part of the boundary line should be
definitely fixed by a joint commission OF
the Governments. and submit herewith
estimates of the expenses of such
commission on the part of the United
States, and recommend an approPTla-
ton for that purpose. The land boun-
dairy is already fixed, and marked from
the summit of the Rocky Mountains to
the Georgian Bay. # should now be in
like manner marked from the Lake of
the Woods to the summit Of the Rocky
| Mountains
| THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
1 regret to say that no conclusion has
| been reached for the adjustment OF
claims against Great Britain growing
out of the course adopted by the gov
ernment during the Rebellion. The
Cabinet of London. so far as its course
has been expressed, does not appear to
be willing to concede that her Majesty's
| Government was guilty OF negligence
or did or permitted anything during the
war for which the United States had
/ Just cause of complaint My firm and
/ unaitera5le convictions are unchanged,
and | therefore recommend to Con-
gress to authorize the appointment Of a
! commission to take proof of amounts
and the ownership of these claims on
notice to the representative of her Maj
/ esty at Washington and that authority
/ be given for the settlement of these
| claims by the United States, SO that the
/ Government will represent the owner
ship of the private claims as well as the
responsibility of all the demands against
Great Britain. 1t cannot be necessary
to add that whenever her Majesty Gov
ernment shall entertain desire for a
full and friendly adjustment of those
claims, the United States will enter up
on their consideration with an earnest
desire for a conclusion consistent with
the honor and dignity of both countries
THE FISHERY QUESTION.
The course pursued by the Canadian
authorities toward the fishermen of the
United States during the past season
has not been marked by friendly feel
ing. By the first article of the conven.
ton of 1878, between Great Britain anc
the United States, it was agreed that the
inhabitants of the United States should
have forever, in common with British
subjects, the right of taking fish in Ger
tain waters therein defined. In the wa
tiers not included in the limits named II
the convention were those within three
miles of ports of the British coast
has been the custom for many years Il
give to intruding fishermen of the Uni
ted States reasonable warning of theil
violation of the technical rights of Grea
Britain. The Imperial government i:
understo cd to have delegated the whole
or share of its jurisdiction or contro
of these inshore fishery grounds to the
Colonial authority, known as the Do
miniOn of Canada, and this semi-inde
pendent but irresponsible agent has ex
ercised its delegated powers in an un
friendly way. Vessels have been seizec
without notice or warning, in violation
of the custom previously prevailing, anc
have been taken into the colonial ports
: their voyages broken up, and the yes
sells condemned. There is reason to be
lieve that this unfriendly and vexatiou:
treatment was designed to bear harshly
upon the hardy fishermen of the United
States, with view to political effect up
on the government. The officers of the
Dominion of Canada assume a still
broader and more untenable jurisdiction
over the vessels of the United States
They authorize officers or persons tC
bring vesselAhovering within three ma
rine miles of any of the coasts, bays
creeks or harbors of Canada into port tC
search the cargo, and examine the mas
ter, on oath, touching the cargo anC
i, voyage, and to inflict upon him heavy
pecuniary penalty if true answer were
not given; and if such vessel is found pre-
pairing to fish within three marine mile:
of any such coasts, bays, creeks or har
bors, without a license, or after the ex
piration of the period named in the las
license granted to it, they provide tina
the vessel with her tackle, &c, &c.
shall be forfeited. It is not known tha
any condemnations have been made
under this statute. Should the authori
tiles of Canada attempt to enforce it,
, will become my duty to take such step!
as may be necessary to protect tht
rights of the citizens of the United States
1t has been. claimed by her Majesty
officers that the fishing vessels of thu
United States have no right to enter thu
open ports of the British possessions il
North America, except for the purpose
of shelter and repairing damages, pur
chasing wood and obtaining water tha
they have no right to enter at the Brit
ish Custom Houses, or to trade, excep
for the purchase of wood and water, ant
that they must depart within twenty-fou
hours after notice to leave. 1t is no
known that any seizure of a fishing yes
sci carrying the flag of the United State
has been made under this claim which, s.
far as founded on any alleged construction
the convention Of 1878, can not b
acquiesced in by the United States.
is hoped that It will not be insisted ol
by her Majesty's government. During
the conference which preceded the ne
gotiations of the convention of 1878 tn
5 British Commissioners proposed to ex
; pressly exclude the fishermen of th
$ United States from the privilege of car
rying on trade with any of his Britanni
; Majesty's subjects residing within tn
D limits assigned for their use, and ais
> that it should not be lawful for the yes
; sells of the United States, engaged il
II such fishing, to have on board an
{ goods, wares or merchandise whatever
except such as may be necessary for tn
prosecution of their voyages to and fror
said fishing grounds, and any vessel {
) the United States, which shall contra
: vene this regulation, may be seizec
J. condemned and confscated, with he