386 APPENDIX TO BRITISH CASE. 



second place, the vessels ordinarily employed on this service are of 

 considerable size and being steamers, their approach is readily dis- 

 cerned by actual intruders and thus time is afforded for escape. It 

 is a remarkable fact that not a single seizure has been made during 

 the season. 



The conclusions suggested by the foregoing state of facts are very 

 intelligible. If the present high or any higher rate of tonnage dues 

 is to be continued, and in view of the hostility which such exactions 

 will undoubtedly induce, the water police to be provided, must be of 

 corresponding power of control, and perfect good faith, material 

 aid and activity on the part of the authorities of Prince Edward 

 Island must be demanded. As I have already intimated, the force 

 now provided seems of a character ill-calculated to answer the pur- 

 pose for which it is designed. Upon a careful consideration of the 

 subject, and having conferred with many persons whose opinions 

 are entitled to weight, I am led to entertain the opinion that the aid 

 of H. M. ships of the class now in use might to some extent be dis- 

 pensed with. A single vessel of war discreetly stationed in the 

 vicinity of the principal fishing grounds, say alternately at Port 



Hood, Cape Breton, and Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, 

 230 and perhaps an additional port to the north-ward of the 



Island, from the first of July to the tenth of November, would 

 be sufficient, if in connection with her and subject to proper com- 

 munication with her Commander, four or five fast-sailing schooners 

 of similar size and appearance to the ordinary class of American 

 fishing vessels, with a commissioned officer, and sufficient crew, and 

 duly armed, were appointed to cruise during the above mentioned 

 period within the points embracing the fishery rights of the Domin- 

 ion. The expense of such a force is easy of ascertainment, and it 

 would no doubt be considerable. This however would be met to 

 some fair extent by the revenue from dues, and possibly by a share 

 of seizures. This suggestion is predicated upon the exaction of what 

 may be termed a high rate of tonnage dues. If on the other hand 

 the nominal rate of 50 cents per ton as hereinbefore stated, and 

 which is more as an explicit acknowledgment of our right than as 

 an equivalent for the privileges conceded, be sanctioned. I feel well 

 assured that although the revenue derived would be of smaller 

 amount, yet the force necessary to ensure its collection might be of 

 a very inferior, and consequently less expensive description, while 

 the national bitterness which this question is daily engendering, 

 would be largely averted. 



And here I may offer some observations as to what in my judgment 

 would be the probable effects of dealing with the American fishermen 

 in the more liberal spirit of cheap licences. In a former part of this 

 communication I have referred to the active and advantageous busi- 

 ness relations subsisting between them and the merchants, traders, and 

 others, in the Eastern Counties of Nova Scotia, and particularly at 

 the Strait of Canso, during the existence of the Reciprocity Treaty, 

 and pointed out the very prosperous condition of our own people 

 during that period. Much depression has prevailed since its abroga- 

 tion, caused principally by the exaction of a higher rate of tonnage 

 dues, which has induced the Americans to transfer their former busi- 

 ness relations to Prince Edward Island, where the terms of the Con- 

 vention of 1818 are practically permitted to be unrecognized. The 



