514 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



terminer! to capture every American vessel found guilty of an in- 

 fraction of the Treaty of 1818 as now proclaimed to be understood by 

 the present British Ministry. 



A small schooner, called the " Union " of Brookline, State of Maine, 

 was taken into Charlottetown Harbor Prince Edward Island, on Fri- 

 day Evening 23d instant, having been captured by Lieut. com- 

 manding Her Majesty's Cutter Telegraph. 



Being on a visit to that portion of my Consulate, I sought an inter- 

 view with the Captain of the Fisherman, and from his affidavit which 

 I caused to be taken, it appears, that according to his calculation, he 

 was about six miles from the extreme point of East Point, Prince 

 Edward Island. The Commander of the Cutter, however, gives a 

 diiTerent version, computing the distance at about two and three- 

 quarter miles. 



I have instructed my Consular Agent at Charlottetown to use his 

 utmost endeavors to free the vessel if he is satisfied that it was not 

 the intention of the Master of the Union to violate the Treaty of 1818. 



I had the honor of forwarding to your address yesterday, a Tele- 

 graphic Despatch requesting that an American Armed Steamer might 

 be forwarded to this Coast as early as possible. My object in making 

 this request is, that I believe that the Fishermen, many of whom are 

 entirely ignorant of the construction of the Treaty of 1818, as now 

 promulgated by the present British Ministry, would willingly listen 

 and conform to advice given by those representing the American Gov- 

 ernment, while they will resist with force any attempts made to cap- 

 ture them, many of them being completely armed for this purpose. 



There are some thousands of American Fishermen now in the Gulf 

 and on the Coast of Newfoundland, who will be compelled to leave 

 the waters peaceably or risk the possibility of being made prisoners. 

 In case the latter should be the result, and application is made to this 

 Consulate for pecuniary aid to enable them to reach their homes, is 

 it the duty of the Consul to provide such means in behalf of the 

 Government. 



I enclose you the official correspondence between His Ex. Sir Alex- 

 ander Bannerman, Lt. Gov. of Prince Edward Island and the Head of 

 the Colonial Office at London ; in that correspondence allusion is made 

 to correspondence which took place between the Lieut. Governor and 

 myself, a copy of which was forwarded to the Department at the 

 time. I am pleased to find that the views entertained by me, relative 

 to the Treaty of 1818 are sustained by my Government. 



I am pleased to state that the principle of Reciprocity in Trade be- 

 tween the United States and the British North American Provinces 

 has no opponents in this quarter, and that the Acting Lieut. Gov. of 

 Prince Edward Island are its open advocates. 



I have the honor to be, 



Very respectfully, your most obt. svt., 



B. Hammatt Norton, 

 United States Consul for Pictou and Dependencies. 



To Hon. Daniel Webster, 



Secretary of State, Washington City. 



