INTRODUCTION. 13 



1853. Mr. Marcy, United States Secretary of State, issued circular 

 instructions as to the conduct of American fishermen, to which refer- 

 ence will be made hereafter. (App., p. 201.) 



1854- The treaty known as " the reciprocity treaty " was entered 

 into. It admitted American fishermen to the enjoyment of all British 

 coast fisheries in the Atlantic in exchange for admission of British 

 fishermen to certain United States coast fisheries, and it provided 

 also for reciprocal abatements in customs dues. During the currency 

 of this treaty, American fishermen were permitted to purchase sup- 

 plies in British ports; but light-dues were exacted and paid without 

 objection. (App., p. 36.) 



1855-6. Mr. Marcy issued further circular instructions as to the 

 conduct of American fishermen. (App.. pp. 207, 209.) 



BAY OF FUNDY ARBITRATION, 1856. 



1856. Arbitration took place with reference (amongst other 

 things) to a claim by the owner of the " Washington " against the 

 British Government in respect of the seizure in 1843. (App., p. 212.) 



LICENCES, 1866. 



1866. The reciprocity treaty was terminated by the United States. 

 Negotiations for its renewal ensued, and meanwhile the fishing privi- 

 leges conferred by it upon United States fishermen were continued 

 under a system of licenses for which an annual fee was charged. 



DOMINION OF CANADA, CONSTITUTED, 1867. 



1867. Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united 

 under the name " The Dominion of Canada." 



1870. American fishermen having gradually ceased to take licences, 

 the system was ended (Canadian Order in Council, 8th January). 

 (App., p. 230.) 



MR. BOUTWELL'S CIRCULAR, 1870. 



1870. Mr. Boutwell (United States Secretary of State) issued 

 a circular of instructions (9th June), in which he said that (App.. 

 p. 237)- 



Fishermen of the United States are bound to respect the British 

 laws and regulations for the regulation and preservation of the 

 fisheries, to the same extent to which they are applicable to British 

 or Canadian fishermen. 



This circular was re-issued two years later. 



TREATY OF 1871. 



1871. A treaty, known as the treaty of Washington, made pro- 

 visions somewhat similar in terms to the reciprocity treaty of 



