DESPATCHES, REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 277 



under existing circumstances. Here is an active, powerful squadron 

 close to our shores, and in waters where we have a deep interest, and 

 to this day our Government learn nothing of the real designs of 

 England. \Ve have barren generalities leading to no useful results, 

 and report tells us that seizures are daily making, and that many 

 more are anticipated. 



I have no doubt but that some of the Senators from the Eastern 

 States will give to the Senate full statistical details of this impor- 

 tant branch of national industry. I have been struck with its mag- 

 nitude from a statement recently made in the papers, and which 

 represents that we have 30,000 seamen, among the best in the world, 

 and 2,000 vessels engaged in the various branches of the fisheries. 

 This is an interest that no just Government can neglect, and one that 

 would expose us to the severest reprehension of the American people 

 should we neglect it, 



The Gut of Canso, which is the passage from the main ocean to 

 the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and which avoids a long detour round the 

 Island of Cape Breton, is also to be shut to us, as is that great gulf 

 itself, if the decision of the Law Officers of England is to be carried 

 into effect. This pretension opens some of the gravest maritime 

 questions as to narrow communications between various arms of the 

 sea, and as to the right of jurisdiction over large expansions of the 

 ocean. I shall leave them for other inquirers. 



There are two episodes, if I may so term them, in this drama, 

 which deserve a brief remark. 



The first is the declaration of Lord Stanley, now Lord Derby, and 

 the head of the British Ministry in 1852, in a letter to the Governor 

 of Nova Scotia, acknowledging the receipt of the case stated for the 

 consideration of the Advocate and Attorney General, and trans- 

 mitting the decision of those officers. The whole subject was then 

 before him, and he thus communicates the determination of the 

 British Government : 



We have, however, come to the conclusion, as regards the fisheries of Nova 

 Scotia, that the precautions taken by the Provincial Legislature appear ade- 

 quate, (alluding to the law before referred to;) and that such being practically 

 acquiesced in by the Americans, no further measures are required. 



Now, this is significant enough. The Home Government refuses to 

 endorse the exorbitant demand of the Colonies, even fortified, as they 

 are, by high legal opinions, and put the whole case upon the question 

 of practical acquiescence of the Americans. Now, no one will con- 

 tend that at any time then, or before, or since did our Govern- 

 ment or citizens practically, or virtually, or in any other manner, 

 acknowledge this pretension to exclude us from the great bays of that 

 region ; and of course such a claim is actually surrendered by the 

 terms of the declaration. The second assurance is found in the 

 admission of Lord Aberdeen to Mr. Averett [Everett], that the Bay 

 of Fundy would not be shut to us; and more distinctly in the 

 despatch of Lord Stanley to the Governor of Nova Scotia. Here 

 it is: 



To Sir William Colebrook. 



DOWNING STREET, 80th March, J8'f5. 



SIB : I have the honour to acquaint you, for your information and guidance, 

 that Her Majesty's Government have had under their consideration the claim of 

 the citizens of. the United States to fish In the Bay of Fundy a claim which 



