DESPATCHES, REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 291 



their power to avert the chances of collision between American citi- 

 zens and British subjects, Her Majesty's Government will at once 

 adopt the precaution of repeating the instructions, on which during 

 a long series of years British Admirals commanding on the North 

 American station have invariably acted, and they will further in- 

 struct Sir George Seymour to use the utmost forbearance and mod- 

 eration in dealing with such American vessels as may be found mani- 

 festly infringing the terms of the Treaty. 



It is almost needless to add that in regard to the Bay of Fundy 

 where a special permission to fish has been granted to American fish- 

 ermen, their vessels will be in no way interfered with, but it must 

 be understood that the three mile limit from the shore will as before 

 be maintained. 



Her Majesty's Government hope that these precautions, in taking 

 which no time will be lost will sufficiently indicate to the President 

 of the United States, the earnest desire which exists on their part to 

 guard against every possibility, not merely of actual collision be- 

 tween the inhabitants of the two countries, but even of a demonstra- 

 tion of hostile or unfriendly feelings during the conduct of the im- 

 portant negotiation on which both Governments are about to enter. 



I am with great truth and regard, 



Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 



MALMESBTJRY. 



JOHN F. CRAMPTON, Esqr. 



P. S. You will take an opportunity of speaking to the President 

 on this subject, and you will read this despatch to him. 



M. 



No. 103. 185%, August 12: Debate in United States Senate on North 

 American Fisheries. Speech of Mr. Soule, of Louisiana. 



On the message of the President of the United States transmitting information 

 in regard to the fisheries on the coasts of the British possessions in North 

 America 



******* 



Mr. SOULE : In delivering out my sentiments with reference to tho 

 difficulties which have arisen lately between our fishermen and Her 

 Majesty's Colonial subjects of North America, and in passing an 

 opinion on the course which it has pleased Her Majesty's Ministers to 

 pursue in relation to those difficulties, I shall endeavour to express 

 myself with the utmost moderation and reserve. 



The subject is one of considerable moment and delicacy; involving 

 interests of vast national importance, which we can neither barter 

 away nor surrender, and raising questions of momentous bearing, but 

 too well calculated to stimulate and augment the excitement and irri- 

 tation already produced by the high-handed measures which have 

 occasioned this debate; and it is not to be supposed that I be willing 

 to approach the grave questions which it suggests, without keeping in 

 view the high responsibilities under which I speak. No, Sir; I know 

 too well the unhandy materials with which I have to deal, and you 

 need not apprehend that I be, for a moment, unguarded, in the use 

 which I may have to make of them. 



