PERTAINING TO NEGOTIATION" OP TREATY OP 1818. 299 



ernment will willingly take measures for the prompt redrew of the 

 injuries to which it may have led, and for the prevention of their re- 

 currence; but the representations which I have received upon the 

 subject from the commander-in-chief of His Majesty's squadron on 

 the Halifax station differ so essentially in point of fact from those 

 which have been made to the American Government, that I have 

 every reason to hope that upon a proper investigation of the transac- 

 tion,* it will not be found to involve any just cause of complaint. 



I have the honor to transmit to you, enclosed, the copy of a letter 

 from the captain of His Majesty's ship Bee to the commander of His 

 Majesty's squadron on the coast of Nova Scotia, reporting the grounds 

 upon which he had deemed it to be his duty to detain these vessels, 

 together with a copy of the orders under which he has acted. 



By these papers you will perceive that the vessels in question were 

 in the habit of occupying, and were, at the time of their seizure 

 actually occupying, for the purposes of their fishery, the settled har- 

 bors of His Majesty's dominions, in violation of the orders at all 

 times enforced against all foreign vessels detected in making similar 

 encroachments, and of which it is not to be supposed that the masters 

 of these vessels could have been ignorant. 



The proceedings which have been instituted upon the captured 

 vessels will necessarily lead to a complete investigation of all the 

 circumstances under which they were detained ; and there can be no 

 doubt that the merits of the whole case, which appear to rest al- 

 together upon questions of fact, will be then fully ascertained. 



I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your 

 most obedient, humble servant, 



Charles Bagot. 



[Inclosure No. 1.] 



By Sir. David Milne, K. C. B. and K. W. X., Roar Admiral of the 

 Blue, and commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels em- 

 ployed, and to be emplo} r ed, in North America, and on the lakes of 

 Canada, &c. &c. 



Von are hereby required and directed to proceed, in His Majesty's 

 ship under your command, to Halifax: and having received on board 

 a pilot at that port, you will repair and cruise between Sambro light- 

 house and Cape Sable, using every means in your power for the pro- 

 tection of the revenue, :is also the fisheries on the coast, against the 

 encroachment of foreigners. 



On your meeting with any foreign vessel fishing or at anchor in 

 any of the harbors or creeks in Hi- Maje i\* North American prov- 

 inces or within our maritime jurisdiction, yon will seize and send 

 such vessel jo trespassing to Hali fax for adjudication, unless it should 

 clearly appear that they have been obliged to put in there in conse- 

 quence of distress; acquainting me with (he can e of such seizure, and 

 every other particular, to enable me to give nil information (<» the 

 Lords commissioners <>f die admiralty. 



You are to come within sight of igmd from Snmhro light house 

 every fourteen d:i\ . if (he, wind and weather will permit, and wait 

 eight hours :t( thai distance. You will continue on this service for 

 six weeks from your Bailing from Halifax, :i( (he expiration of which 

 time you will return to thai port for further orders. 



