QUESTION ONE. 23 



we are, and desire to remain, at peace demands, to prevent any rash 

 or illegal movements intended or calculated to violate our obligations 

 towards a friendly foreign Power and our colonial neighbours. 



I have been directed by the President to invite your prompt and 

 personal attention to this matter, and to assure you that he places 

 entire confidence in your active and judicious exertions to soothe the 

 present irritation of popular feeling, excited in some instances, it is 

 said, by unfounded reports of alleged violation of our national rights. 

 Every good citizen should be solicitous to prevent any occurrence 

 which may further excite that feeling. No violation of the colonial 

 local law should be attempted, and their civil authorities and other 

 officers should have due respect paid to them within their jurisdiction. 

 In case of insult to the American flag or of injury to our 

 26 fishermen, you will request them to transmit the particulars, 

 properly substantiated, to the Department of State instead of 

 attempting to settle the difficulties themselves. 



RECIPROCITY TREATY, 1854. 



18-54- By the Reciprocity treaty of 1854, the British coast fisher- 

 ies, which had been closed against United States fishermen, were 

 opened to them, the operative words being that (App., p. 36) 



the inhabitants of the United States shall have in common with the 

 subjects of Her Britannic Majesty the liberty to take fish. 



Reciprocally, certain United States coast fisheries were opened to 

 British fishermen. 



MR. MARCY'S CIRCULAR, 1855. 



1855. At the commencement of the ensuing season, the United 

 States Secretary of State (Mr. Marcy) sent (12th July, 1855) the 

 following circular to the various Collectors of Customs (App., p. 

 207) : 



It is understood that there are certain Acts of the British North 

 American colonial legislatures, and also, perhaps, Executive Regula- 

 tions, intended to prevent the wanton destruction of the fish which 

 frequent the coasts of the colonies and injuries to the fishing thereon. 

 There is nothing in the Reciprocity Treaty between the United States 

 and Great Britain which stipulates for the observance of these regu- 

 lations by our fishermen ; yet, as it is presumed, they have been framed 

 with a view to prevent injuries to the fisheries, in which our fisher- 

 men now have an equal interest with those of Great Britain, it i$ 

 deemed reasonable and desirable that both should pay a like respect 

 to those regulations, which were designed to preserve and increase the 

 productiveness and prosperity of the fisheries themselves. It is, con- 

 sequently, earnestly recommended to our citizens to direct their pro- 

 ceedings accordingly. You will make this recommendation known to 

 the masters of such fishing vessels as belong to your port, in such 

 manner as you may deem most advisable. 



I am, &c. 



W. L. MARCY. 



