40 The Fishery QiLestioii. 



in the ports of Europe. Meanwhile the pop- 

 ulation of Nova Scotia had doubled and be- 

 came alive to local interests. The operations 

 of American fishermen, under the late treaty, 

 were jealously noted. They were accused of 

 taking away the English trade ; of smuggling 

 and enjoying privileges in contravention of 

 public law. Watchers counted the American 

 fishing fleets as they passed the Strait of 

 Canso. The home government, in conse- 

 quence of colonial representations, was 

 brought to the conclusion that the treaty had 

 granted too much.^^ It was felt that some- 

 thing ought to be done for the loyalists of 

 Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, many of 

 whom expected that the result of the hostil- 

 ities would reinstate them in their old home- 

 steads. 



In 1 8 14 a British squadron commanded for 

 a time the Maine and Massachusetts coasts, 

 exacted tribute from the salting establish- 

 ments on Cape Ann, and entirely suppressed 

 the use of any but fresh fish. On land there 

 was some ground for the remark of the Rus- 

 sian ambassador, that " England did what- 

 ever she pleased." The American commis- 

 sioners, who signed the treaty of 18 14 before 



