The New York herald., 1871-01-03
THE YANKEE SIDE OF THE QUESTION.

GLOUCESTER, Mass, Dec. 81, 1870.
"Well, guess you'll find out II you stay in town
lOng.n This was the emphatic reply got when upon
arriving the other evening, asked citizen how the
fishermen felt about the trouble the Dominion Of
Canada had been making them. thus found out
at the very start that had anticipated rightly when
surmsed that there might be good deal Of ex-
element here over the matter. I remem-
bered what had read Of local history
in Massachusetts, and therefore knew that
Gloucester, the great headquarters Of American
fisheries, was just the place for an industrious cor
respondent to visit In search OF Information bearing
upon the present international difficulties.
THE TROUBLES WITH THE DOMINION OFFICIALS AND
WHAT THE GLOUCESTER FISHERMEN THINK ABOUT
THEM.
There Is no doubt that the Dominion authorities
have brought about these difficulties simply for
the purpose OF forcing our government into
renewal OF the Reciprocity treaty which ex-
pired some years since. This is what the Glou.
cester fishermen think and they assert that the
Canadians and Bluenoses themselves do not conceal
this fact They treat our peaceful and unotfending
fishermen II they were outlaws OF the most con-
temptibe character, and deny them the simple
rights and privileges due from one civilized nation
to another. One old salt with whom conversed
said that II Congress did not take the matter in
hand the fishermen would have to 60 armed and
protect themselves. "We must do it.n he said; "f
Uncle Sam can't attend to them, why, we There
are seven thousand fishermen and sailors right here
In Gloucester, and 1, for one, would be willing to
COMMENCE PIRACY
upon al their harbors and commerce, and keep 1t up
until they learn how to behave. There are others
here who would join me, and have doubt but
could get crews for dozen pirate steamers in q
dozen days right here In this town. tell you, sir,
this is what is coming to unless something Is done
and done very quickly too. You will find others
besides the fishermen who will back us, and we
count old Ben Butler among our best friends II he
don't fix things at Washington we are going to rig
up dozen or SO Alabamas and commence busi-
ness"
talked with another man-not fisherman. ''It
won't come to any serious trouble" he said, 'for
happen to know that
GRANT AND sCHENCK ARE ALL RIGHT,
and when Congress meets proper legislation will
follow, and then Schenck will get his instructions,
and there will be a change OF conduct very soon on
the part OF the Dominion government towards our
Yankee fishermen. Grant is aroused, and has pro.
missed to tx the matter right OF, and you can bet
old Ben WON'T let him alone till he does. And fur
ther know" he added, with q significant wink,
'that schenck ain't going over to England to eat
dinners. but to tx up this Alabama and fish business.
Our boys have stood this thing as long as they are
going to, and the government knows it.n
THE BEGINNING OF TIE TROUBLES.
1t was early last summer that the troubles began,
and the fishermen, without orerlng resistance
promptly reported the various outrages to the
representatives Of the American government BY a
change OF boundary lines at that time the Canad an
territory includes Mount Jolly and portion OF the
shore the thereof which, the treaty ls1s
was described as the southern coast of Labrador.
rv,o
change does not affect the rights of our fishermen
under that treaty. The people Of Ottawa hold the
opposite opinion and propose to maintain 1t with
gunboats, as they are now doing and have done
ever since last June. Now the grand question is
"What IS to be done r From the feeling manifested
In Gloucester 1t Is clear that there must be an ad-
justment OF the difficulties one way or another
before the fishermen start out for the coming
season.
AS have already intimated, there Is Indignation
and excitement prevalent everywhere in the
vicinity, and it Is no wonder II one-half the re-
ported Outrages Of the Canadian authorities upon
American fishermen be true. it is q shame and dis
grace to our government that they have passed SO
long unnoticed. have conversed with those best
qualified to know about these proceedings anu with
men of high character, and their reports the con-
duct OF the Dominion authorities are all unanimous
to the point that unheard-of outrages have been
committed. Most OF the statements which I have
gathered have been furnished under oath, and they
may be relied upon as implicitly true.
THE SEIZURE OF THE WHITE FAwH-sTArEaENT OF
CAPTAIN FRIEND, THE OWNER.
The seizure upon the schooner White Fawn
was probably one Of the most unwarranted
committed upon the Gloucester fishermen by the
Dominion officers. The announcement of her
seizure has already been published, but as the
circumstances and details have not yet been gyen
concluded to obtain them from Mr.. Friend, her
owner The Fawn is first class vessel of ea.49 tons
burden and was built at Essex enly few months
SINCE for Mr.. Friend h Co. The alleged OfIcnce was
violation OF the Treaty Of 1878 and he British 0sn-