The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-09
Preside at cleveland's Suggestions to
&C ngress on the Subject.
Secreta Bayard's Letter to Psesi-
der Cleveland Regarding
the Question.
The Rights Which American Fisher
men Have In Canadian Waters.
The "unfrIendIy and unwarranted
Treatment" OF American Fisher
men by the Dominion
Authorities.
Secretary 8ayard's Correspondence
Regarding the Seized Vessels.

WASHINGTON, Dec S.-The following Is
the Presidents letter transmitting to Con-
gress the communication of the Secretary of
State and correspondence relating to the
fisheries:
To the Senate aud House OF Representatives:
4 transmit herewith letter frsm the Secretary
OF State, which Is accompanied byscorrespondence
In relation to the rights Of American fishermen in
i1. DIIlsh MOTH american waters and commend TO
commission be authorized by law to take per-
petuating proofs OF the losses sustained during
their unfrendly and unwarranted treatment by
the local authorities of the Maritime Provinces Of
the Dominion Of Canada. / may have occasion
ing the present session for such remedial egisla-
tion as may become necessary for the protection
OF the rights of our citizens engaged In the open
sea fisheries in the North Atlantic waters.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The following is the text Of the letter of
the Secretary of State to the President, on
the fisheries question;
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1886.
To the President:
The Secretary OF State has the honor to submit
to the President, with a view TO Its communica-
ton 70 Congress, the correspondence relative to
nsherles In the waters adjacent to British North
America, which has taken place during the pres
ent year. IL Will disclose the action OF this de-
partment and of our Minister to Great Britain, in
relation TO the disputed construction OF the con-
vention Of 1918, and what has been done TO pro
cure such Interpretation Of its provisions as win
and Consistent With their mutual interest @ and
honor. From timeto time since the conclusion Of
the treaty Of 1918. differences have arisen be-
tween the two governments as to the extent Of
the remuneration by the United States Of their
former fishery rights in common in the literal
waters Of British North America, and the true
definition Of the rights and privileges retained by
and expressly guaranteed TO the United States In
the hrst article OF that convention. Tho history
o. q. TINS question during the period from 1918 70
attempts TO adjust the respective claims, and
occasionally difficulties have been brldged over by
temporary arrangements, notably BY. the treaay
Of Washington Of May 8, 1871, the fishery ar
ticles Of the latter having been abrogated BY the
United States on June 80, 1885 It Is deeply TO
be regretted that the efforts Of this department,
as shown by the correspondence now submitted
TO arrive at such agreement as would permit IN
ernments of Great Britain and the United States
TO guide the citizens Of the respective nationals
ties in the unmolested exercise Of their rights Of
fishing In the waters In question and defining the
limits Of lawful action therein, have not as yet
reached fnal and satisfactory result although
propositions are now pending for consideration,
which it is hoped may prove the basis Of Just
and permanent settlement Yet as supplement-
airy 70 the published history OF this long standing
interest OF comfy and good nelghbor-
hood, OF having a clear and well de-
Of the two governments and their respective
citizens, 1t Is considered expedient that Congress
should have full knowledge Of the action Of the
Executive in the premises to assist them on their
deliberations upon this important subject. II
WIN be observed in the course Of this correspond
ence that notification has not failed to be duly
given to the Government Of Great Britain that
compensation is expected for loss and damage
caused TO American fishermen by the unwarrant-
able action Of the local authorities Of the Domin-
ion OF Canada, not merely by the summary seizure
Of their vessels and the exaction Of heavy fines In
advance of hearing and judgment, but for the cur
tailment Of the privileges TO which they just
ly entitled under the commercial regulations as
well as treaty stipulations, and consequent inter-
ference with their legitimate voyages whereby
the natural profits Of their industry were serious
ly diminished and In many cases wholly destroy
ed. II would seem proper thet steps in perpetit-
an RET Dtenl0rfdn should be taken by Congress to
allow proofs to be made and placed upon record OF
these losses and Injuries to our citizens to enable
them to be properly presented to Her Majesty's
government for settlement, and that for this pur-
pose a commission should be authorized by Con
gress to take the necessary proofs OF the respect
i've claimants.
Respectfully submitted,
~