Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-01-21
The Northeast Fishery Question.


tanned provisions that ever since have been
regarded a. ineXplicable. Our country had
rapidly grown and by that time had waved
strong and become mighty nation. The
administration WAS & strong one. James
Monroe was President and John Quincy
Adams, Secretary of State. And yet By
the treaty OF 1918 some of our most valu-
able aud important rights in the fisheries
We're, according to the best information
which can be obtained needIessly surrend-
by Albert Gallatin and Richard Rush. men
of acknowledged diplomatic ability, whose
patriotism could not be called in question.
Mr.. Gallatin was born in Geneva, Switzer-
land in l7Gl. He entered the University
of Geneva where he was graduated in
l779, standing drst in mathematics, natur-
a philosophy and Latin translation. He
came TO this country IN l1s0 and after a
time settled in Pennsylvania. He entered
Congress in 1875, a. follower OF James
Madison. and continued member Of that
body until lis appointment as Secretary Of
the Treasury in 1901. He was appointed
minister 10 France in 1913 After his re-
turn from France he refused seat in the
cabinet as Secretary Of the Navy and de-
cined TO be candidate for Vice Presi-
dent To which he was nominated by the
Democratic party. In 1926 he was APP
pointed envoy extraordinary to Great Brit
ain
The other ucgotiator, Richard Rush,
was son 81 Benz Rush. sgner Of the
Declaration of Independence. Richard
Rush was born IN Philadelphia in 1850.
He was graduated al Princeton in 1872 and
admitted to the bar Of Philadelphia in
$500. He became attorney general Of
Pennsylvania in ISL. comptroller of the
T. ) treasury in November Of the same
year and in I-l4 Il was L. S. attorney
general He became temporary L. S
Secretary Of State IN l>l7, and was then
appointed Minister to England. He was
recalled in ISIS to accept the portfolio
" the treasury which had been offered
was a candidate for Vice President on the
ticket with Mr.. Adams Mr. Rush did
large work u the field of literature.
By reference 10 the first article of the
treaty OF l1s2 already quoted in previous
editorial, it vii. be seen that the rights of
the United States were recognized; first,
70 take ti>h Of every kind on the Grand
Banks. and all the other banks Of New
fJund.anG and also in the Gulf of St. Law
renee and at other places in the sea, tchere
n Hh1iUmtS III }uh countries used at
aay time i.fare The treaty IL .fSh; second, to
take d>l Of every Kind on such part of the
coast Of Newfoundland as British fisher
men should use but not to drv or cure
the same on that Island; third, to take
iish Of every Kind on the coasts, bays, and
creeks Of al other Of His Britannia Maj
e>ty> dominipns in America; fourth, to
dry and cure mn in any of the unsettled
bays, hAroors and creeks of Nova Scotia,
Magdalen Islands and Labrador
By the convention Of 1918 the United
States obtained for its citizens the liberty
10 take iish of every kind on certain coasts
Of Newfoundland. Labrador, and the ad-
Jacent islands particularly described. Our
Government also obtained liberty to dry
and cure fish in any Of the unsettled bays.
harbors. or creeks of certain coasts snd
also on COASTS that were settled on con-
diiion that private rights were appeased.
ne nlted states renounced any liberty
previously claimed or enjoyed of taking.
drying. or curing fish on or within three
marine miles Of any of the coasts. BAYS,
creeks or harbors of all other parts of
BRITISH America not covered by the fore
going concession
From the date Of the execution of this
treaty the n.isunders' andlng between the
Two countries hrosdened and deepeped
until the complications became very
threatening and the state Of affairs, at
times. exceedingly yeXatious The pro-
visions of the treaty prohibiting American
vessels from taking FISH within three
marine miles Of the coast etc, led TO
many disputes and much trouble, the Brit
l~h Government holding all the time that
the three mile limit meant three miles out
side Of q line drawn from hesdlsnd to
AtadIahd, construction which in many
instances gave Americans no right to take
tsh in Great Britains northeast waters in
North America, except many miles from
Frenchmans Bay from the vicinity of Of
ter Creek on the island of Mt Desert. or
perhaps from Bakers Island, to the outer
most END Of Schoodic Point in the town
of Goulds5oro and then ruling that three
miles from the coast of Frenchman's Bay.
means three marine miles outside Of that
line.
And so it came to pass that the difficulty
OF determining the three mile limit, the
always vexatious and from an American
standpoint, frequently unwarranted seiz.
ures of American vessels the seemingly
revengeful action of British local courts
IN thelr COMBINATIONS, constantly e1as-
perated the people of the United States.
especially American fishermen, and caused
much lll-wlll to exist on both sides. On
several occasions troubles such as these
threatened TO bring the two governments
into actual warfare; but a resort to arms
was happily averted.
The United States made bad trade in
this treaty, The gist of the matter is this:
For the privilege of drying and curing ish
on limited portions of the coast of New
foundland and Labrador, as long as thew
remained unsettled, the United States '.re-
nouHced forecer any liberty heretofore en- |
joyed or claimed by the inhabitants there. |
OF to take, dry or cure hsh on or within ,
three marine miles of any of the coasts.
bays, creeks, or harbors of His Britannia
Majestys dominions in America not in
Guided within the limits SO described.
The worst of it Is, such an extraordinary
remuneration seems to have been entirely
gratultous and unnecessary on the part of
the United States, for Mr. Rush wrote rel.
alive to the matter many years after: 1--WE
{ Mr.. Gallatin and himself) inserted the
clause of renunciation; the British pleni.
potentiaries did not desire it,"
We understand that our voters are
very slowly under the new
,egistration law. This should not be 40.
failure to register is voluntary sur