272 APPENDIX TO BRITISH CASE. 



I am well aware that England, and other Powers, indeed, have measured their 

 own rights for themselves, and have compelled reluctant States to do them 

 justice. And this is justifiable where the demand is incontestable, and volun- 

 tary satisfaction becomes hopeless. But this generally occurs with compara- 

 tively small States; for with powerful ones such a course would be the signal 

 of war. But I did not believe we were in this category in the estimation of 

 the British Administration, nor that the experiment would ever be made of 

 firing a gun on the Potomac in time of peace, to secure any demand whatever, 

 because such an act had succeeded on the Tagus. I do not mean that the dis- 

 play of an unusual force in neighbouring waters is as indicative of a belligerent 

 attitude as would be its appearance upon our own coast; but it is well calcu- 

 lated to give offence, especially when coupled with the avowed determination of 

 so turning the circumstances as to procure commercial arrangements, which it 

 is not certain we shall ever make. 



Now, Sir, recent statements in the colonial papers justify the conjecture of 

 the Senators from Maine and Massachusetts, and indicate pretty clearly one 

 of the objects of this new movement. I will refer to some of them : 



[From the New Brunswicker.] 



We have no doubt but an attempt will be made by the American Government 

 to obtain a modification of the strict letter of the Fishery Treaty between Great 

 Britain and the United States; but failing, as we believe they will, in this, 

 they will then offer, as an equivalent, reciprocity in certain articles of domestic 

 growth and produce for the privilege of fishing within the prescribed limits. 

 The unlimited sway which American fishermen have heretofore enjoyed along 

 our coasts, left them little or nothing to wish for; and when these colonies 

 wished a reciprocity In some of their staple articles, they were treated with 

 the utmost indifference. Our neighbours had so long trampled upon our 

 privileges, that they imagined they had a perfect right to our fishing-grounds 

 for their benefit. Did they possess such a valuable source of wealth, British 

 subjects would not be permitted to take a single fish. The strictest surveillance 

 would be exercised to keep off all intruders. 



[From the St. John Morning News.] 



The recent movements of the British with respect to the American fishermen, 

 have caused some sensation in the United States, and serious troubles between 

 the two Governments are anticipated, consequent upon the strict interpretation 

 of the Fishery Treaty by Earl Derby's Government. It is not at all improbable 

 that the determination of the Ministry to enforce the Treaty has been con- 

 ceived with a view to the success of the negotiations for reciprocal free trade, 

 and that the American Government will be glad to make terms. 



[From the Montreal Herald.] 



THE FISHERIES RECIPBOCITY. The Americans are always disposed to stand 

 upon any advantages they may possess, and refuse to yield favours to others, 

 even when themselves likely to gain by the bargain, without a distinct and ap- 

 parent compensation. When, after abolishing the differential duties, we asked 

 the small return of reciprocity in raw materials, we were immediately met by 

 the question, What have you got to give in return? The fisheries were sug- 

 gested by the Americans as something that might be thrown in on our side; 

 but eventually they seem to have become impressed with the conviction that, as 

 they were enjoying them without any formal concession of privilege, they might 

 as well still refuse what the colonies asked. It was quite time to show them 

 that we had something which we could withhold as well as they; and though 

 we know not whether the desire to obtain reciprocity has not been one of the 

 grounds for the present somewhat sudden action on the part of the Imperial 

 Government, we hold that such a desire would be a perfectly legitimate ground 

 for such action. 



I understand, also, that similar views were expressed in Parliament 

 during some recent allusion to this subject. I trust, for the perma- 

 nent welfare of both countries, that this effort, as a compulsory means 

 of effecting a diplomatic arrangement, will be abandoned. 



Apart from this conjecture for it is only such what does Eng- 

 land intend to do? I see it stated in many of our journals, as a 

 reason for sitting still, that we do not know what is the exact object 



