G14 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



or on lines produced from headland to headland across the entrances 

 of bays, creeks, or harbors. Her Majesty's Government arc clearly 

 of opinion, that by the convention of 1818, the United States have 

 renounced the right of fishing not only within three mile.s of the 

 Colonial shores, but within three miles of a line drawn across the 

 month of any British bay or creek. It is, however, the wish of Her 

 Majesty's Government neither to concede, nor for the present to 

 enforce any rights in this respect which are in their nature open to 

 any serious question. Until further instructed, therefore, you will 

 not interfere with any American fishermen unless found within three 

 miles of the shore, or within three miles of a line drawn across the 

 mouth of a bay or creek which, though in parts more than six miles 

 wide, is less than six geographical miles in width at its mouth. In 

 the case of any other bay, as Bay des Chaleurs, for example, you will 

 not interfere with any United States fishing vessel or boat, or any 

 American fishermen, unless they are found within three miles of the 

 shore. 



Action. — You will accost every United States vessel or boat 

 actually within three marine miles of the shore, along any other part 

 of the coast except Labrador, and around the Magdalen Islands, or 

 within three marine miles of the entrance of any bay, harbor, or 

 creek, which is less than six geographical miles in width, or inside of 

 a line drawn across any bay, harbor, or creek at points nearest to the 

 mouth thereof, not wider apart than six geographical miles, and if 

 either fishing, preparing to fish, or having obviously fished within 

 the exclusive limits, you will, in accordance with the above recited 

 Acts, seize at once any vessel detected in violating the law, and send 

 or take her into port for condemnation; but you are not to do so 

 vnless it is evident, and can be clearly proved, that the offence of 

 ■fishing has been committed, and that the vessel is captured within the 

 prohibited limits. 



Copies of the former and of the latter Acts are furnished herewith 

 for your use and distribution. 



These Acts of Parliament subject to summary seizure and to for- 

 feiture any foreign ship, vessel, or boat, which is found fishing, or 

 having fished, or preparing to fish, within the prohibited limits, and 

 provide for carrying out the seizure and forfeiture. 



Compulsory means may be employed : but resort to force will be 

 justified only after every other prudent effort has failed. 



Directions. — If. from threatened resistance and obvious determina- 

 tion to contest the seizure, and because of the relative inadequacy of 

 your own force, you shall believe any attempt at capture liable to 

 be frustrated, you will warn the parties of the futility of resistance, 

 and that you are authorized to procure the assistance, if needed, of 

 any of Her Majesty's cruisers. In case of need, you must signal for, 

 or otherwise procure the immediate aid of one of Her Majesty's ships, 

 or of some other of the Canadian Government vessels belonging to 

 the Marine Police. With both the first, and last mentioned you will 

 co-operate in all things pertaining to the protection of the fisheries. 



If a foreign ship, vessel, or boat be found violating the Convention, 

 or resisting consequent seizure, and momentarily effects her escape 

 from the vicinity, she remains always liable to seizure and detention, 

 if met by yourself in Canadian waters, and in British waters every- 

 where if brought to account by Pier Majesty's cruisers. But great 



