The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-05-27
BAYARD.
HIS CORRESPONDENCE ON
THE yEXED FISHER
les QUESTION.
RIGHTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN
CANADIAN WATERS TO BE
MAINTAINED.

NEW YORK, May 22.-1he Post has the follow
ing Washington special: The state department is
actively engaged in negotiations designed to pro
teCt the interest OF American fishermen Inere
has as vet been no official decision of its position
and for manifest reasons, while negotiations are in
the progressive stage, the administration can t
properly make public the correspondence which it
has had with the British minister here and with
our minister to England, but an official letter from
Senator Bayard, which follows, will show he has
the interest of fishermen at heart.
Senator Frve of maine, recently addressed the
secretary of state the following letter:
SENATE CHAMBER,
Washington, May 2 1885.
To Hon. Thos f. Bayard Secretary of State.
Dear Sir-I respectfully submit to your consider
alton the enclosed telegram received this morning
from the president of the American fishery union.
| assume that the state department Is giving tnls
matter such consideration a. It's importance 9e-
mands. The urgency of immediate action Tor the
permanent relief OF the American citizens cannot
be overestimated. l regard the conduct OF the Gan,
adam Government as entirely unjustiable and
without authority of treaty. or law, OF Oh Soou
neighborhood. am, very respectfully
To this letter Secretary Bayard has sent the fol
lowing reply (unoficiaD: -, Ma,
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, May Il;
Hon VIM p Frye, U. s. Senae:-Dear Sir:-Be-
fore your note of to-day was received telegram
of the same purport in relation to the refusal 10
allow the American schooners, Jennie aud Juna,
to purchase herring for smacklng at Dlgoy, nau
been received, and steps Lad been taken by me TO
ascertain all the facts and instant representations
had been made to the British minister to call to &C
count the collector at Digby, for what consider
gross breach of the commercial rights OF the United
States The late reprehensible action OF Canadian
officials in relation to American fishing vessels mas
occurred in remote localities, without facilities Tor
postal communication, and consequently there mas
been delay-regretable but unavoldable-ln recelV-
ing consular reports.
But your assumption that this department is
giving the matter such consideration as its import
ance demands, WILL believe be fully sustained
when the proper time arrives for the publication
of its action.
| trust am conscious of my duty as an official,
charged with the execution of delicate and import
ant functions and that the interests and honor OF
my country and the interests of its citizens will
not be found to have suffered at my hands.
Very respectfully yours,
II. i. BAYARD.
A gentleman who has talked with Secretary
Bayard upon this subject within day or two, says
that he is as much interested in the matter as either
of the Maine senators be, and he has great re-
gard Tor the fishermen. He expresses himself very
forcby as to the conduct of the Canadian officials.
lie looks at the question as an American, and not
from party standpoint, and says there is no poll
tics in it. The action of the department cannot
vet be made public, but that he can assure any
congressional friend of the fishermen that every
thing that is possible is being done to protect their
interest.
With regard to the refusal of the collector of
customs at Digby to permit the captain of the
Jennie and Julia to buy herring there to smack, he
said that he had instructed Consul Phean to go at
once to Digby, and investigate.
Secretary Bay4rd deprecated any attempt on the
part of the fishermen to coerce the Canadian gov
eminent by force of arms, and said that every step
in that direction would weaken the United States,
and strengthen Canada. lie hoped, also, that
American fishermen would strictly observe
the local customs and regulations in Canada.