9 



♦ 



Presson, Sylvanus Smith, Fitz J. Babson, Solomon Jacobs and Jos- 

 eph Smith. 



On motion of Mr. Cunningham Mr. Steele was added to the 

 committee. 



On motion of Capt. Sylvanus Smith the committee were instructed 

 to invite the co-operation of the other New England fishing ports, 

 either by sending delegates to any meeting which may be held, or 

 otherwise, in this matter. 



The meeting then adjourned. 



At a regular meeting of the Committee Mr. Sylvester Cunningham 

 was chosen Chairman, and Mr. William H. Jordan Secretary. 

 The Committee voted to issue the following call for a Repre- 

 sentative Convention of all the Atlantic fishins: interests : 



AMERICAN FISHERY CONVENTION. 



The Atlantic fishing interests, that have for years struggled on 

 against adverse legislation and natural disaster, are now threatened 

 with the worst calamity that can befall them, by an attempted re- 

 newal of the fishing provisions of the Treaty of Washington, incited 

 bj' Canadian and English influence. 



It is not too much to say that with the success of this scheme the 

 American fisheries must inevitably decline until they pass into the 

 hands of our Canadian neighbors ; thus destroying an industry that 

 more than all others has furnished the Government with its means 

 of defence upon the ocean, while affording but a simple living to its 

 operatives. 



They have pursued their business so far in spite of hostile diplo- 

 macy and mistaken legislation, and only ask that our Government 

 shall allow them the same rights and privileges afforded to every 

 other producing business in the country that comes in contact with 

 foreign competition. 



The great need of our past national diplomatic action was the prac- 

 tical knowledge of the business on the part of our own Commission- 

 ers. The treaties of 1818, 1854 and 1873 all demonstrated this. 

 The first made our fishermen outlaws to commercial rights in the 

 ports of the Provinces. The second gave our markets to foreigners 



