PERIOD FBOM 1836 TO 1854. 413 



places that may be nearer to Pictou than the residence of any other 

 consul," under these circumstances, I declined putting in any de- 

 fence, acquainting the owner with my determination, which had been 

 formed after submitting the case to counsel. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient, humble servant, 



Jno. Morrow. 

 Hon. John Forsyth, 



Secretary of State, Washington. 



Consul Primrose to Mr. Forsyth. 



Consulate of the United States, 



Pictou, 11th March, 1839. 

 The Honorable John Forsyth, 



Secretary of State, Washington. 



Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 1st 

 January and 2nd February; the latter granting me leave of absence 

 until the first, of April, but, as the season is now so far advanced, 

 I have determined to postpone my intended journey for the present. 



You have no doubt been informed, by the Consul at Halifax, of 

 the seizure of several fishing vessels or the United States, on the 

 Coasts of this Province, during the past year for alleged infringement 

 of the convention of 1818; one of which vessels at least, if not more 

 than one, has recently been condemned in the Court of Vice Admiralty 

 at Halifax. 



Numerous complaints have been made by the inhabitants of this 

 Province, alleging that the fishermen of the United States frequently 

 violate the terms of that Treaty by following the fish too close to the 

 coasts of Nova Scotia & Prince Edwards Island, and using the 

 harbours thereof for other purposes than are enumerated in the con- 

 vention. 



The British Government has decided to send out two armed vessels 

 in the Spring, to be stationed during the fishing season on these 

 coasts, for the purpose of preventing any infringement of the Treaty; 

 and although I am well aware that much of the outcry which has 

 been made on this subject has had its origin in the disappointed 



Feelings <>f Nova Scotia li-hernicn, on seeing themselves so far out- 

 stripped, in the successful pursuit, of so valuable a branch of their 

 superior perseverance and skill of their enterprising neighbours: 

 \>\ I know that, within my consular district, a tempting shoal of 

 ii i, is sometimes, either from ignorance or the excitement of the 

 moment, followed across the prescribed limits; and] suppose that, 

 during the ensuing season, the greatest rigilance will be displayed 

 in looking a fter offenders. 



I have thought it my duty to communicate these facts to vou, in 

 ,•;, ,. jt hould !"• deemed requisite, in order to prevent fishermen 

 from becoming uncon ciously liable to confiscation, thai Bome instruc- 

 tions should be is med to ( Jollectors of ( !u torn likely to grant licences 

 to fishermen, directing them to request the fishermen to make them- 

 selves well acquainted with the term- of the treaty, as they may ex- 

 pect a strict enforcement of its provisions, during the ensuing 3ea ion; 



