452 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



On that part of the coast of Newfoundland where the right of 

 fishing is relinquished, there are several bays in which fisheries may 

 be prosecuted at three or more miles from the land. 



On that part of the coast of Newfoundland where the right of 

 taking and curing fish is secured by the convention of 1818, it is to 

 be feared that troubles may arise with the French, who assume an 

 exclusive right, and who have gone so far as to drive off even English 

 fishermen. 



The right of fishing on the shores of the Magdalen islands, though 

 sometimes questioned, seems so secured by the convention of 1818 that 

 I think it unnecessary to lengthen this communication by further 

 discussing it. 



2d. The right of resorting to ports for shelter, and to procure wood 

 and water. The provincial authorities claim a right to exclude 

 vessels, unless in actual distress; and the subordinates, as well as the 

 naval forces of her Majesty, warn, as they term it, vessels to depart, 

 or order them to get under weigh and leave a harbor when they sup- 

 pose a vessel has lain a reasonable time ; but this is often done without 

 examining or knowing much of the circumstances under which the 

 vessel entered, or how long she has been in port. 



The English men-of-war also endorse the papers of the fishermen, as 

 if they had violated the blockade, or committed some other illegal act. 



The fishermen claim a right, under the convention, to resort to the 

 ports for shelter whenever from rough weather, calms or fogs, they 

 cannot prosecute, without risk or inconvenience, their labors at sea; 

 and the navigation on some parts of the coast is, on account of the 

 extraordinary tides, as perilous in calms and fogs as in rough 

 weather. 



The Nova Scotia courts would exact that American fishermen shall 

 have been supplied, on leaving home, with wood and water for the 

 cruise; but the Americans believe they can, by the terms of the con- 

 vention, resort to the ports to procure wood and water at their 

 convenience during the cruise; and they do not, on account of the 

 inconvenience, as well as the high price, take on board either water- 

 casks or wood for the whole cruise. 



If the grounds assumed by the British provincial authorities be 

 carried out, it will be in their power to drive the Americans from 

 those parts of the coast where are some of the most valuable fisheries; 

 whereas, if the ground maintained by the Americans be admitted, it 

 will be difficult to prevent their procuring articles of convenience, and 

 particularly bait; from which they are precluded by the convention, 

 and which a party in the provinces seems resolved to prevent. 



The questions will, I doubt not, ere long be brought to a crisis; and 

 it seems probable that the vexatious course pursued towards the 

 fishermen, with the object of fostering their own at the expense of 

 our fisheries, and the care taken by the French to protect and encour- 

 age theirs, will tend to injure, perhaps destroy those of this country; 

 a result to be deprecated in connexion with the navy, for there is no 

 branch of commerce which supplies so large a portion of hardy and 

 efficient seamen. 



Although several of the vessels seized by authority of the province 

 of Nova Scotia were afterwards released, the great expense incurred 

 and the time they were detained made the injury to the owners nearly 

 equal to a total loss. 



