The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-19
The Seizure of the Doughty.

To the Editor Of the Press:
One can clearly comprehend how party
having no individual or pecuniary interest
in matter is prepared to recommend an an
tidote for the misfortune of others. We are
favored with many consoling articles by
some of our journals. What relief it must
be to the owner of the schooner d. J. Ad-
ans, a man who by prudence and hard work
has saved sufficient to purchase the vessel
which has fallen, as we believe, an unlawful
prey to the Canadian government to be told
that there is no occasion for any excitement;
"for if injustice has been done to an Ameri-
can vessel it becomes the duty of our gov
eminent to demand full and speedy repara-
ton
The schooner Ella M. Doughty of this
port, valued at nearly $4,000, and some of
the owners having all their means in this
vessel, which they have been accommodating
for years, was fitted out with all the nccessa-
ry papers required by our government for
prosecuting the voyage, with permit to
touch and trade at any foreign port. has been
seized by the Canadian government and if
not confscated, the voyage will be delayed
and necessarily entail considerable trouble
and expense upon the owners and crew.
What panacea it must be to these owners
to be informed that there is no cause for
anxiety, ''that it is a question to be consid-
cred in calmness, one that concerns gentle
men of the gown" Now this preaching
may answer for the gentleman in his sane
tum, who has not one dollar invested in fish
ing vessels or the business; but parties who
are interested feel as though there is cause
for buster, and if the Canadian government
countenances illegal and barbarous treat
ment to our American fishermen, the time
has come when the friendly relations be-
tween the Dominion and the United States
should be disturbed. 1t does seem as though
our government is not taking active meas
ures to protect our fishermen. While the Ca
madam government has already fitted out
several armed vessels and are preparing 9TH
ers, our governmenthas not even taken steps
to send any armed cruisers on the Cape Bre-
ton or Nova Scotia shores to look after the
interests of American fishermen. 1t is the
policy of the Canadian government to annoy
and discommode our fishing vessels in hopes
to drive this country into reciprocity trea-
ty; and are but repeating the abuses and
treatment as practiced prlor.to 1874. The
fishermen of New England do not want a re-
ciprocity. They understand that they have
no right to fish within three miles of the Do
minion shores. and they intend to respect
that right. But they do believe that the law
of nations gives them the privilege of enter
ing the Dominion harbors to procure bait,
and for the purpose of shipping men; and
Justly claim the same rights in their ports
as are accorded to them in American ports.
If it is not so, the quicker our government
passes a retaliatory law the sooner It N VIII
bring the Canadian government to reallz
ing sense OF their position.
The fishing industry of New England has
reached that magnitude, and is of sufficient
Importance to worthily merit the protection
of our government
little province of Canada is humiliating to
every American citizen, and it is unfortu-
nate that our government does not place it
self in position to demand the release of
these vessels and settle the consequence
with Great Britain. w.