The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-08
Mr.. Bayard has witten the following letter
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, June 80. 1885,

Capt Jesse LelctS Otcfer Of the schooner DdUid j.
adams, Gloucester, Mass
Sir-I have your letter dated the 26th inst stat
the severe loss to you occasioned by the summary
seizure, by the Canadian authorities in Annapolis
Basin, Nova Scotia, of your fishing schooner, the
David j. Adams which, as you say, is all the
property you possess, and constitutes your "only
support"
1t is proper that should inform you that de-
mand was made upon the government of Great
Britain for the release OF the vessel coupled with
notification that that government would be held
answerable for all loss and damage caused by her
seizure and detention
Your case commands my sincere sympathy, and
ever since it was brought to my knowledge has
had the constant consideration of this department
and of the consular officers of the United States in
the Dominion of Canada.
Mr. VIM. L. Putnam OF Portland, Maine. in con-
juction with Mr. George W. Bidd1e of Phiad ell
phia, has been engaged, by this govern
rights and duties which may be brought in ques-
ton by reason of the seizure of your vessel
II you will communicate with Mr., Putnam, he
will no doubt give you all information in his pow
er in relation to the laws under which your prop
erty was so seized, and suggest what steps Should
premises.
Moreover, suggest that you should carefully
secure evidence OF all the facts connected with
the presence of your vessel in Annapolis Basin,
and OF the absence of any unlawful act or intent
on the part of her MASTER crew owner, as well
as proof OF the actual loss and injury sustained by
you by reason of this harsh, and as / believe
wholly unwarranted action by the Canadian Off
Gals, such evidence to be obtained and preserved
DIS tuc DdSlS Ol C1dlulS IOT your remuneration.
More than one year ago sought to protect our
citizens engaged in fishing, from the results which
might attend any possible misunderstanding be-
tween the governments of Great Britain and the
United States IS to the measure of their mutual
rights and privileges in the territorial waters of
British North America, after the termination of
the fishery articles OF the treaty OF Washington in
June last.
1t seemed to me then and seems to me now very
hard that differences of opinion between the two
governments should cause loss to the honest citi-
Zens whose line CT obedience might be thus rem
dered vague ana uncertain, and their property
brought INTO jeopardy
Influenced by this feeling, procured temper
airy arrangement which secured our fishermen full
enjoyment of all the Canadian fisheries free from
molestatlon, during period which would permit
discussion of just international settlement of the
whole fishery question; but other counsels pre-
vailed and my efforts further to protect the fish
ermen from such trouble as you now suffer were
unayailing.
To secure for them full protection in the enjoy
ment of all their just rights and privileges is still
my earnest intent and object and for all losses to
which they may be unlawfully subjected at the
hands Of the authorities of foreign governments.
shall seek and expect to obtain full redress.
regret exceedingly the disturbance in their
long customary pursuits, and the serious loss and
Inconvenience attendant upon disputed con-
struction of laws and treaties by two sepera tie
governments; and trust that / shall soon be en-
abled to secure such clear and comprehensive
declaration OF agreement between those charged
with the administration of the two governments,
as will define the line of their rights, and secure
from molestation those American fishermen, who
obeying the injunctiOns of their government re-
specting subordination to the laws of foreign gov
ernments, keep within the laws of their own coun-
try.
Reparation for all losses unlawfuly caused by
foreign authority will be made the subject inter
national presentation and demand.
/ am, sir, etc
TT. BAYARD
A dispatch to the Halifax Herald from
Shelbourne, N. s., says:
Captain Quigley, of the cruiser Terror,
took charge of two other American schoon-
ers Saturday morning and brought them to
Shelburne. They are the George W.. Cush-
and the Z. b.. Harrington, Fralick, master,
OF the same place. Commander Quigley was
interviewed by the Herald correspondent
this morning.. and reports as follows Il
went down with boats crew at half past
seven O'Clock, and found the above named
vessels in the harbor. had been informed
by parties at Sandy Point that they had been
endeavoring to buy bait and ice during the
day. | boarded 1.-THE Harrington about half
past nine O'Clock, and found that two of the
captain if he had reported to the custom
house and he replied that he had not done
so. thereupon ordered him to bring his
vessel to Shelburne as soon as possible after
daybreak, and placed an armed watch from
my vessel ON board of her. | next boarded
the Cushing, and enquired if any Of the crew
had been on shore that day, and if the cap
tain had yet reported his vessel? Captain
Jewett replied that he himself had been
ashore that day, but that he had not report
ed, therefore treated him to the same dis
cipline as had administered to the captain
of the Harrington. Had they succeeded in
purchasing bait or ice? was asked by the
Herald correspondent NO. respond Cap
tain Quigley. ''But both captains frankly
admitted that they asked for them but were
unable to purchase ieither from the fisher
men, although bait particularly :was plenti-
full, and they offered as high as seventy cents
a hundred for it,
This despatch, published in the Halifax
Herald under date Of Arichat, July 5, shows
that bait as well as coal and ice is denied our
ishermen
The Abbie F. Morris, Morris master, from |
halibut fishing, came into our
larbor yesterday and sailed early this morn |
ing. Morris said he put in here to purchase |
oait, as he was informed in Gloucester that |
our government had lately decided to allow |
American fishermen to buy bait. Two other |
American fishing crafts were in during the |
week and the masters reported the same |
tory, They all appeared surprised to learn
hat this was false.