St. Paul daily globe., 1886-05-20
FURIOUS FISHERMEN.
The People of Portland Talking OF
Arming Their Vessels

u
Aiming Their Vessels.
PORTLAND, Me-, May 19.-The excite
ment here over the seizure OF the schooner
Ella M. Doughty by the Canadian author
tiles is increasing, as is the feeling that the
government is strangely silent. Letters are
being received from all along the coast,
saying that common cause will be made
with the Portland fishermen, and that
general union for defense will be arranged.
A. r. Whitten, secretary of the fish ex-
change, said to-day:
'Resoluticns in favor OF arming our vessels
will be adopced at the meeting of the ex-
change. In the present temper of the owners
and fishermen such resolutions could not be
made too strong. We shall do something
more than adopt resolutions. We shall act.
Had been in Capt Doughty's place, with
twelve good men at my back, that one officer
would never have taken my vessel. 1 should
have said to him Get off or l will lock you up
and take you with me- The government is
doing nothing for US. We must save our
selves and
WE SHALL DO IT.
Another prominent owner said: "We shall
stand I'D for our rights, and if the govern
ment does not protect US, we shall protect
ourselves. Had Capt. Doughtys men been
armed, the capture would never have been
made. When Capt. Doughty goes to sea
again he will carry cannon and small arms,
and all other fishing vessels that go out of
this port will also be armed, and their cap
tains will have direct orders to resist all at
tempts that may be made to seize the ves-
Ses."
The fishermen say that the government
has not given the slightest sign of interest
III the matter, and that if Portland cannot
send word to Capt Doughty at English
town that the government of the United
States will protect him, then Portland can
and will say to him that the people of the
state of Maine will stand back of him, and
that American vessels cannot be seized at
will by the Canadians.
THE RESOLUTIONS PASSED.
At fully representative meeting of the
fish exchange this afternoon, the following
resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, The Canadian government have
seized American fishing vessels, ana we be-
lieve unlawfully, whereby the flag of our
country has been insulted, therefore be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Port
land Fishing Exchange that the President of
the United States should by proclamation de-
clare non-lntercOurSe with the Dominion of
Canada in all matters pertaining to fish
cries.
Resolved, That whereas the Canadian gov
ernment has fitted out armed vessels to pur-
sue our vessels, therefore, we ask our gov
ernment to send armed cruisers into Cana
dian waters to protect our vessels.
Resolved, That we oppose and protest
against the appointment of any commission
to treat with Great Britain IN regard to the
fisheries.
Resolved, That we call upon congress to
take such action as will protect us in our
rights as American citizens from seizure of
our property while in the act of trade by the
colonial government and demand an i'm
mediate release of the vessels under seizure.
Resolved. That, whereas our government
has issued papers granting permission to our
vessels to trade in foreign ports and, whereas,
vessels holding such permits have been
seized, we ask our government to protect all
American vessels in colonial points against
seizure.
Resolved, That If our government refuses
to send Immediately armed vessels to protect
our vessels we deem it expedient to arm and
equip our vessels for their protection.
Furtner ana more general action will
probably be taken by the city. A fishing
schooner is now fitting out and is expected
to leave to- morrow OF Friday for the fish
ing grounds fully armed. She will be the
first armed vessel to leave Portland.
THE HON. HANNIBAL HAMLIN
was interviewed tonight relative to the
fishery trouble. He said that if there are
obstacles in the provincial law excluding
American fishing vessels from trading in
Canadian points there should be similar
restraints placed on Canadian vessels in
American waters. He thought both govern
ments were too wise to get into serious
trouble over the matter.
Cd Excited Orangemem. 7
LONDON, May. 20.-The Orangemen of this
city, through special committee, have
approved manifesto which will be issued to
the various lodges of their brethren through
out the world, appealing for funds to oppose
home rule by creating a strong Protestant
party in parliament, and assisting the
loyalists of Ulster. Lords RossInore and
Kill will act .es treasurers of the fund. Maj
Sanderson, NJ P. for North Armagh, is sec
retary of the committee.