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deprivation. The fact is not to be disputed. Nor is this all. Our 

 fishermen are often of service in other respects. I have room for hut 

 a single instance. In a gale, in 1845, at Shippigan* — within one of 

 the interdicted " bays," be it remembered — upwards of one hundred 

 British lishermen, exposed to the fury of the storm in open boats, were 

 preserved from death by the courage and exertions of the American? 

 there, who were fishing in decked vessels. 



The act of Nova Scotia, passed in 1S3G, claims our attention. Under 

 tliis law an American vessel "preparing to fish" within three miles of 

 tlie coast is liable to be forfeited; the oiaier or claimant of such vessel, in 

 case of seizure for an alleged violation of this or of any other ]yrovisio7i of the 

 law, is required to show that there ivas no ground of seizure or to pay trchh 

 costs; the owner or claimant is also compelled to appeal from the 

 seizing officer to the admiralty court, and try his action there within 

 ttiree months, or to lose all remedy; the owner or claimant is compelled 

 to give one month's notice of his intention to contest the legality of the 

 seizure, and to embody in such notice every fact and circumstance on 

 which he means to rely to prove the seizure without good cause, and 

 to show, before trial, that the seizing officer has been notified in iorm, 

 and within the time prescribed. The seizing officer, on the other hand, 

 may inflict the most wanton injury, and escape unharmed. The ] 3th 

 section provides, " that in case any information or suit shall be brought 

 to trial on account of any seizure made under this act, and a verdict 

 shall be found for the claimant thereof, and the judge or court before 

 whom the cause shall have been tried shall certify on the record that 

 there was probable cause of seizure, the claimant shall not be entitled 

 to any costs of suit, nor shall the person who made such seizure be 



* This gale was on the 18th of July. The Miramichi Gleaner, of August 9, thus spoke of 

 it and of the unknown humane American captains : " On the 18th ultimo this place was visited 

 with one of the most fearful gales ever remembered by the oldest fisherman. On the morning 

 of that day the wind blew lightly from the southwest, and the appearance of the day so fine 

 that every boat belonging to Shippigan, Carraquet, and Miscow, put ofl"for the fisliing grounds, 

 with every prosi)ect of a fine catch. Up to this time not a cloud was to be seen, and tl>e 

 horizon gave no indication of an approaching storm, when about 10 a. m. the wind veered 

 roiuid to the northwest and blew a perfect hurncane. The violence of the wind carried every- 

 thing before it ; schooners, boats, and flats were upset and driven on shore. Amongst the 

 boats which had proceeded to sea, fear and consternation prevailed. They had no alternative 

 but to weigh anchor and be driven before it ofl" the land ; the sea was running mountains-high, 

 and as, from the violence of the wind, they were unable to carry sail, every succeeding 

 sea threatened to engulph their tiny barks. By this time they had lost sight of land, when, 

 fortmiately, some American schooners, fishing for mackerel on the Bradillo and Orphan 

 banks, hove in sight, and, on seeing the perilous situation of the boats, these humane men 

 innnediateiy got tmder weigh and stood towards them. As the gale was increasing, and the 

 schooners considerably to leeward, they signalled them to bear down, and by skill r.nd good 

 seamanship happily rescued every soul on board, and made fast as many as possible to the 

 schooners, and directed their men to anchor the remainder on the banks and leave them to 

 their fate. By this noble act every soul, amounting to one hundred, was saved. On Saturday, 

 after the violence of the gale had somewhat subsided, the schooners stood in for the shore and 

 landed the men and boats in safety. A small vessel was immediately procured and despatched 

 in search of the boats which had been left at anchor on the bank at Miscou island, (twelve in 

 number,) and, strange to say, found them all safe. As some of the men had lost their clothes, 

 the Ainerican captains generously distributed a quantity of wearing apparel amongst them, 



" One of the strange captains reports, that at the commencement of the gale he perceiv»l 

 several boats laboring heavily, and bore up to render some assistance, but as they dissappeared 

 suddenly it is feared they have all gone dowTi; it is supposed they belonged to the Canada side. 

 It is much to be regretted that neither the names of the schooners nor of the captains are knowTJ 

 here, in order that they may be publicly thanked. 



