National Republican., 1886-12-09
TIE FISHERIES QUESTION.
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE TRANS
MITTED TO CONGRESS.
UnsuocessfuI Efforts to Eject just
and Permanent settlemOnt-American
Vessels Unwsrrantably Seized by Cam
ada-A Commission Proposed.


The President yesterday transmitted TO
Congress the correspondence which has
taken place In regard to the Canadian fish
cries disputes and letter from the secre-
tary Of State on the same subject. The
following is the text Of the Presidents letter:
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
IIvEs: i transmit herewith n letter from the
Secretary OF State, which is accompanied by
the correspondence IN relation TO the rights of
American fishermen. In the British North
American waters. and commend TO your favor
able consideration the suggestion that COM
mission be authorized by law to take perpetu-
ating proofs Of the losses sustained during the
past year by American fishermen owing TO
their uniTiendly and unwarranted treatment
by the local authorities OF the maritime prov
inces OF the Dominion OF Canada, may have
occasion hereafter 10 make further recon-
remedial legislation as may become necessary
for the protection Of the rights Of our citizens
engaged in the open'sea fisheries In the North
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, Dec. s, 1886.
Secretary Bayard' letter is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON Dec s.,
18SG.-To THE PRESIDENT The Secretary Of
State has the honor to submit TO tho Presi-
dent, with a view to It's communication to
Congress, the correspondence relative 10 the
fisheries in the waters adjacent 10 British
North America, which has taken place during
the present year
and Of our minister 10 great Britain In relation
TO the disputed construction of the convention
Of 1918, and what has been done to produrc
such an Interpretation OF its provisions as will
be acceptable to both parties to that tnstru-
ment and consistent with their mutual inter
est and honor.
From time to time since the conclusion Of
| the treaty of 1918, differences have arisen be-
| tween the two governments as TO the extent OF
the Ienunclaiion by the United States oil
their former fishing rights in common, in the
| the true definition of the rights and prlvi.
| leges retained by and expressly guaranteed OF
TO the United States in the first article of that
| convention.
The history ofthis question during the period
from 1878 to the present time has boon one oi
| unsuccessful attempts TO adjust the respective
| claims, and occasionally the, difficulties have
| notably by the treaty of Washington of june
| 9, 1851, and Of the treaty OF Washington OF
May s, 1871, the fishery articles Of the latter
having been abrogated by the United states Oh
IL is TO be deeply regretted that the Efforts of
| this department, as shown by the correspond
| ence now submitted, to arrive at such IN
| agreement as would permit instructions OF
| like tenor to be issued by the government oil
| Great Britain and the United States, to guide
the unmolested exercise OF their rights OF fish.
| ing in the waters in question, and defining
the limits of lawful action therein, have not as
| yet reached final and satisfactory result
| Although propositions are now pending fol
| consideration which 1t Is hoped may prove the
basis of n Just and permanent settlement, ye
as supplementary to the published history o
| this long standing subject as illustrating the
| obvious necessity In the interest of amity anC
good nelghborhood, OF having . clear aut
well defined understanding of tho relative
| rights of the two governments, and their re
spectiye citizens, Il is considered expedien
that Congress should have full knowledge o
the action OF the Executive in the premises 4
assist them In their deliberations upon thi
important subject.
II will be observed 10 the course OF this cor
Tespondence that notification has not failed Il
be duly given to the government of Grea
Britain, that compensation Is expected for thu
loss and damage caused TO American fisher
men by the unw1rrantable action OF the loca
authorities of the Dominion of Canada, no
merely by the summary seizure of their vessel
and the exactlon of heavy fines IN advance
ment of privileges TO which they were justl,
entitled under commercial regulations as wei
as treaty stipulations; and the consequent In
reference with their legitimate voyages
whereby tho natural profits of their industr
were seriously diminished and in many case
| wholly destroyed.
1t would seem proper that steps IN perpet,idr
| rel nenoridln should be taken by Congress I
| allow proofs to be made and placed upo
| record OF these losses and injuries to our citi
zens, to enable them to be properly presente
TO her maiesty's government for settlemen
be authorized by Congress to take the nece
sary proofs of tho respective claimants. r.
spectfully submitted. I. +. BAYARD.
The correspondence sentt Congress cor
sists Of 104 Communications from Secretar
Bayard, Minister West, and Minister Phelp