6* EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



As in previous years, the marine invertebrates have been placed in 

 the hands of Professor Verrill to be classified, and the duphcates ar- 

 ranged in sets for future distribution, and it is hoi>ed that all proper 

 wants can in this way be met. Of course, these collections must be 

 carefully husbanded and given only to permanent institutions, able and 

 willing to furnish the necessary alcohol and jars for their ]3reservation. 

 It is also expected that, by the exchange of some of these series with 

 museums abroad, the National Museum may derive important additions 

 to its collections of objects needed for research in America. 



As heretofore, the fishes collected have been placed for identification 

 in the hands of Mr. Goode, curator of the National Museum, aided by 

 Dr. T. n. Bean, and with the co-operation of Prof. Theodore Gill. 



G— THE HALIFAX CONVENTION. 



4. — THE TREATY OF WASHINaTON. 



Among the various subjects intrusted to the High Joint Commission 

 held at Washington which prepared what is known as the Treaty of 

 Washington (concluded and signed on the 8th of May, 1871), was the set- 

 tlement of the difficulties in regard to the fisheries oft" the coast of British 

 North America, which have been for many years a source of irritation 

 between the two countries. The assumed rights of Great Britain in the 

 waters adjacent to her American territory have always been maintained 

 with great firmness, although with varying degrees of stringency; the 

 crossing by American fishing vessels of the maritime territorial line for 

 any other purpose than shelter being at intervals rigorously prohibited. 

 At one time the seaward limit of jurisdiction claimed extended almost 

 indefinitely off the coast ; but ultimately the three-mile hue was accepted, 

 but made to include the distance between the headlands of all bays, 

 the Bay of Eundy among the number ; and quite a niunber of vessels 

 were confiscated for violating the law by fishing within the prohibited 

 line. It was, however, establi.;hed in an English court that the claim to 

 the Bay of Funday was untenable ; and although no test case has since 

 then arisen in regard to narrower bays, the United States maintain that 

 the restriction can only apply to bays or portions thereof which are less 

 than six miles from side to side. 



During the period of the Eeciprocity Treaty, American vessels had 

 free access to all parts of the British waters of North America; but when 

 this was brought to a conclusion the old difficulties were renewed, and 

 although a system of licensing was adopted, by which, on payment of a 

 certain sum per ton (at first fifty cents and afterward increased), the 

 right of fishing was granted, many vessels refused to avail themselves 

 of this chance, and so much ill-feeling was produced that it was con- 

 cluded to add the fishery question in general to the other subjects to be 

 determined by the Treaty of Washington of 1871. 



By the Treaty of 1818 certain portions of tbe British shores were opened 



