The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-12-06

contended for by the United States.
In April last, while engaged in locating
a military reservation near Pembina, u
corDs of engineers discovered that the
received boundary line between
the United States and the British posses
sIons ut that place Is about ffty'seven
hundred feet south Of the true position Of
the zenith parallel, and that the line,
when run on what Is now supposed to be
the true position Of that parallel, would
leave the Fort Hudson Bay Company at
PembInd within the territory OF the
United States. This information being
communicated 10 the British Gov
eminent was requested to con
sent, and l did consent that the
British occupation of the port by the
Hudson Bay company should continue
for the present, deem It important,
however, that this part Of the boundary
line should be definitely fixed by q joint
commission Of the governments, and sub
nit herewith estimates OF the eX.
pense Of such commission on the part o.
the United States, and recommend
an appropriation for that purpose. The
land boundary Is already fixed and
marked from the Summit Of the Rocky
Mountains to the Georgian bay. ltslould
be in like manner marked from the Lake
Of the Woods TO the Summit Of the. Rocky
mountains. Iregret to say that no con-
clusion has been reached for the adjust
ment of the claims against Great Britain,
growing out of the course adopted by that
government during the rebellion. The
Cabinet of London, so fir as its views
have been expressed, does not appear to
be willing TO cOncede that her Najesty's
government was guilty of negligence, or
did or permitted any act during the war
by which the United States has just cause
OF complaint. Ever firm and unalterabIe
our convictions are directly the reverse,
and, therefore, werecommend to Congress
to authorize tho appointment ofa commits
sion to take proof Of the amounts and the
ownership Of their claims, on notice to
the representative Of his Majesty Mt Wash
ington, and that authority begiven for the
settlement OF these claims by the United
States, 50 that the government shall have
the ownership Of tho private claims as
we'll US the responsible control Of oil the
demands against Great Britain. 1t cannot
be necessary 10 add that whenever Her
Maiesty's government shall entertain q
desire ior full and friendly adjustment
of these claims, the United States will en-
ter upon their consideration with an earn
est desire tor o conclusion consistent with
the honor and dignity Of both nations.
The course pursued by the Canadian 1u-
thorities toward the fishermen of the I'm
tied States during the past season has not
been marked by a friendly feeling. By
the first article of the convention ot 1878,
between Great Britain and the United
States, 1t 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 water not included
in the limits named In the convention,
within three miles of the ports Of the
British coast. 1t has been the custom for
many years to give to men trading and
fishermen of the United States a reasona'
bic warning of their violations OF the tech
pical rights of Great Britain. The I'M
perial government is understood to have
delegated the whole or share OF the juris-
diction and control Of the inside fishery
grounds to the colonial authority known
as the Dominion Of Canada, and this SEMI
independent but irresponsible agent has
exercised its delegated powers in IN un:
friendly way. Vessels have been seized
without notice or warning in violation ot
tho custom previously prevalent, aud have
been taken into the colonial ports, their
voyages broken up, and the vessels con-
dcmned. There is reason to believe that
this unIriendly and veXatiouS treatment
was designed to bear harshly upon the
hardy fishermen of the United States,
with u view TO political effect upon this
Government. The statutes fthe Domin.
ion of Canada assume q still broader and
more untena6le Jurisdiction over the yes.
sells Of the United States. They authorize
officers and persons to bring vessels hoy.
ering within three marine miles Of any oi
tho coasts, bays, creeks or harbors
oil Canada, into port, to search the cargo,
and to examine the master, on oath,
touching the cargo and voyage, and 10
intlict upon him heavy pecuniary pen
atty If true answers were not given and
if such a vessel is found preparing TO fish
within three marine miles OF any such
coasts, bays, creeks or harbOrs, without o
license, or after the expiration Of the period
named in the last license granted to 1t they
provide that the vessel with her tackle,
&C., shall be forfeited. 1t Is not known
that any condemnations have been made
under this statute by the authorities
Of Canada, although to enforce II 1t will
become my duty to take such steps as
may be necessary to protect tue rights Of
tho citizens Of the United states. 1t has
been claimed by Her Macsty's officers
that the fishing vessels OF tho United
States have no right to enter the open
ports of the British possessions in North
America, except for the purpose of shell
ter and repairing damages, OF purchasing
wood and obtaining water, that they have
no right to enter at British Custom HOus-
es, or to trade, except the purchase OF
wood and water; and that they must de-
part within "a hours after notice 10 leave
Il is not known that any seizure of q
fishing vessel carrying the flag Of the
United States has been made under this
claim So far as the claim Is founded,
on any alleged construction Of the conven.
ton Of 1918, cannotbe acquiesCcd in by the
United States. 1t is hoped that ii will
not be insisted on by Her MaiestY's Gov.
ernment. During the conference which
preceded the negotiations of 1918, the
British commission proposed TO expressly
exclude the fishermen Of the United States
from tic privilege Of carrying on trade
with any Of Her Majcsty's subjects resid;
ing within the limits assigned for their
use; and also that 1t should not be lawful
for the vessels Of the United States engag.
ed In such fishery to have on board any
goods, wares, or merchandise, whatever,
except such as may be necessary for the
prosecution OF their voyage to
and from said fishing grounds ;
aud any vessel Of the United States which
shall contravene this regulation may be