254 APPENDIX TO BRITISH CASE. 



That so far would the introduction of the Americans into this Bay, from 

 which they have hitherto been excluded, be from removing the collisions and 

 complaints already existing, that it would augment them to an extent hardly 

 to be contemplated from the increase of conflicting interests and the struggle 

 between the fishermen of the two countries for the best fishing ground 



That until our fishermen were driven off their grounds and compelled to aban- 

 don their fisheries by the superior power and number of the Americans col- 

 lisions of a serious character not unattended perhaps with fatal consequences 

 might be apprehended as it could hardly be supposed that they would submit 

 to relinquish to the Americans those benefits to be derived from the fisheries 

 on which their means of subsistence depend nor can it be supposed that a con- 

 cession of this kind made at the expense of the colonists and without any cor- 

 responding benefit to be conferred on them or for any purpose of national policy 

 would be viewed but with feelings of deep hostility and regret by the inhabi- 

 tants of this province especially when it is considered with what jealousy they 

 have ever been excluded from fishing on the American const 



That the facilities thus afforded of carrying on an illicit trade on our coast 

 in American spirits, articles of American manufacture and other contraband 

 goods would be increased to such a degree as to be entirely beyond the means 

 of this province to control and would be attended with a serious diminution 

 of our revenue and other most injurious effects. 



The treasurer has already reported that the smuggling in the Bay of Fundy 



will be greatly increased and the revenue injuriously affected by the admission 



of the Americans to fish in that Bay and it is much to be apprehended that 



these encroachments on the limits prescribed to them will lead to collisions 



with our fishermen even to a greater extent than heretofore of which serious 



complaints have been already made and which the employment of armed vessels 



by the colonies and even by the mother country would be inadequate to 



150 prevent. These concessions will be nationally injurious to the extent 



that these fisheries have heretofore proved, to be a valuable nursery for 



seamen and will be so cultivated by the United States 



Extract from the Minutes 



(Signed) W. H. ODELL 



The Council also beg to recommend that the Honourable Charles 

 Simonds on his proceeding to England be requested to wait on the 

 Right Honourable Lord Stanley and to bring fully under his Lord- 

 ship's consideration, the ruinous effects that will result to our fisher- 

 ies and other important interests of this province by admitting the 

 subjects of the United States to fish in the Bay of Miramichi. the 

 Bay of Chaleur and other Bays on the North American coasts from 

 which they have hitherto been excluded by the treaties subsisting 

 between Great Britain and the United States and also that he be 

 requested to communicate with His Excellency the Lieutenant 

 Governor on the subject 



Extract from the Minutes 



(Signed) W. H. ODELL. 



Extract of a Letter from Beverley Robinson Esqr Provincial Treas- 

 urer to Alfred Reade Esqr Provincial Secretary dated St. John 

 N. B. June 17th, 1845. 



As regards importations from the United States I very much fear 

 that the admission of American fishermen into the Bay of Fundy 

 will so greatly increase the facilities for illicit traffic that the honest 

 importer will be no longer able to complete with the horde of smug- 

 glers by whom we have reason to dread we will be overrun. 



(Signed) B. ROBINSON, P.T. 



