The New York herald., 1871-03-20
The Fishery Matter an Insignificant Ones
tiOn-Facts and Figures Regar.
ding American Fishermen
in Canadian Waters.
The Most Valuable Catches Made Or
Our Own Shores. *


second week. OF their deliberations They have de-
voted several hours every day to the consideration
OF the questions pending between the two countries
and several hours every evening receiving or re-
turning hospltaliues. They were In session
yesterday at the State Department, and In
the evening the British members were
HANDSOMELY ENTERTAINED
by Mr.. George W. Riggs, at his residence on street.
The company consisted OF Minister Thornton and
lady, Earl De Grey Sir Stafford II. Northcoe. Pro-
fessor Montague Bernard, Sir John A. Macdonald,
Lord Tenterden, Mr.. aud Mrs. Howard. W. W. Cor
coran Elisha W. Riggs, Mr.. and Mrs. Riggs, Miss
Kate and Miss Alice Riggs. Mr.. d. Cremer Mr. III. S.
Northcote and viscount Goderlch.
To-day the British members OF the Commission
ATTENDED DIVINE SERVICE
at st. Johns Episcopal church. Thus far the busi-
ness meetings OF tho Joint Commission have assumed
the character OF conversations upon different ques
tOns rather than the formal discussion OF any sepa
rate subject. The relations Of the two countries 10
each other have been considered IN general way
with view or seeing what
CONCESSIONS
might be made by either side before anv particular
point OF dispute shall be taken up for settlement.
The recent announcement In the London times, as
It comes TO US by telegraph that the fishery ques.
ton Will probably De easily adjusted but that IL is
not SO sanguine as TO the arrangement OF the
Alabama claims Is confirmatory OF the state.
ments In this correspondence from the inception OF
the commission. Those statements were based upon
THE OPINIONS OF LEADING MEN
here conversant with the facts The position which
our commissioners have assumed upon the Alabama
claims is that that is purely national question,
and being an exceptional case, 1t mnst be con-
sidered and settled by itself without reference to
precedents. The letter or Sir Edward Thornton
ghzl,.
with other indications, regarded as evidence that
efforts will be made 70 Dring in the
COUNTER CLAIMS or BRITISH SUBJECTS
as part or the Alabama question. The i'm
preston which prevailed at first that Eng.
land was prepared 60 ofer the olive branch, aud
that mere bubbles would be discarded for a candid
and frank av0wal oe wrongs committed and DANA
ges 10 be adjusted, has giysn place to fear that
England is not disposed TO make any magnanimous
concessions, and that If any arrangement Is
entered into for the settlement OF the pend
ing questions 1t must be on the basis Of
equivalent. 1t has been already that the Ala
bama question s one wnich her Majesty's CommIs.
sioners hardly hope TO settle in satlsfac-
tory 10 the people OF this country. for the British
Commissioners are doubtful that even any conven-
ion which they could consent TO. consistent with
English pride, would receive the sanction of tie
Senate. The utterances or tho Times 20 10 show
that this feeling of doubt concerning the settlement
OF the Alabama claims exists as well in London as
in washington. Hence more attention has been de.
voted to
THE FISHERY QUESTION
During the preliminary negotiations, before the
Commission was appointed, Sir Edward Thornton
had assured MIR. Fish that it would be arranged TO
the satisfaction OF the United States without regard
TO colonial opposition and the conversations OF the
Commissioners in Joint session would seem 20 indl.
cate that this the idea entertained by the majority
OF The British members. Sir John A. Macdonald,
as the representative OF Canada, is, of course.
endeavoring to procure the best possible terms for
the nshore fisheries. The impression prevails tnat
his colleagues do not second his efforts In this re.
spect to any great extent, and that they would be
willing TO dispose OF the fishery question rather In
our favor in order to gain important points for
England, principally on the Alabama question.
Among the many suggestions for the solution
OF the fishery question when have been mootcd
Is that OF the United States paying certain sum
for the perpetual freedom of the Canadian fisheries.
Considering the question OF trade eauivaIents some
or the American Commissioners do not seem dis
posed to consider the privilege OF free fishing as
being OF Sufficient Importance to give Canada larger
trade equivalents than she enjoys az present there
fore, the re-esabllshment OF reciprocity treaty IS
not regarded favoraby as the out and out
The question as to how the country would regard
such settlement has vet to be considered. 1t is
easy to understand the feeling that exists concern
Ing the question OF
EQUIVALENTS.
In the first place, Sir John Macdonald preceded
his arrival here by declaration In the Canadian
parliament that England would not sacrifice
any Canadian interests, and that II the
fisheries laws were modified IL would only
be in return for equivalents granted by
she United States Next the Canadian Finance
minister declares tnat the Canadian government il
opposed to any present modification OF their tarln
because they have reason expect that In the pend
Ing discussions here arrangements will be made by
which canada will receive trade equivalents that
is revival OF the reciprocity treaty as portion
OF the settlement Again the British Minister writes
that he hopes to succeed In getting British claims
against the United States recognized as q
basis OF adjustment, so that from these facts
IL Is assumed by some that the adjustment may par.
take OF the nature of q reciprocity treaty and the
creation OF Commission before which British, and
American claims will be presented, and that the
iimitabty of these British claims will depend upon
how far the United States may agree to limit their
claims TO the depredations OF the Alabama, exclud-
ing the claims growing out OF the captures by other
Ango-Confederate cruisers. Indeed, SO far,
the path toward satisfactory settlement OF
all the questions is sui considerably obscured.
In the conversations on the fishery question the
Commissioners have talked over the whole general
subject, including the disputed points about the
HEApLAND CLAIM,
the Bay OF Fundy, the Gut OF Canso and the three
| mile coast line. All the available information with
reference TO the fsheres including that recently
! published In the HERALD has been collected
| FOR the use OF Commissioners. The
| Treasury Department has supplied a statement OF
| the number OF vessels and the amount OF tonnage
employed IN cod and mackerel fisheries. The ton
nn hna tnrreased from IS on1 In 1sar L.,