178 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC., 



time I got under way for this place; but, owing to the dense fogs, did 

 not arrive until 12 o'clock last night. 



While at Eastport, I had an interview with Mr. Comstock, deputy 

 collector of the port of Lubec, Maine, and also with the owners of 

 several fishing vessels, who assured me that their vessels had met with 

 no disturbance or obstruction this season, and that they were not 

 armed. I also saw Mr. Nathaniel Mitchell, a merchant from Boston 

 who had just been at St. John, New Brunswick, and he said that, as 

 regarded the fisheries, all was quiet in that place; and I am thor- 

 oughly convinced that so far from any obstructions being thrown in 

 the way of the fishermen this season, the}' are rather invited and wel- 

 come in the provinces. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



J. M. WATSON, 

 Lieutenant Commanding. 



Com. W. B. SHUBRICK, 



Commanding Eastern Squadron. 



U. S. STEAMER PRINCETON, 

 No. 14.] Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 16, 1853. 



SIR : The Fulton not having arrived, and having effected as much 

 as can be expected at Halifax, I have determined to go at once into 

 the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and shall sail to-day. 



I have not been able to get from Sir George Seymour, in so many 

 words, exactly what his instructions to the commanders of his cruisers 

 are ; but I believe them to be, to seize vessels found fishing unquestion- 

 ably within three marine miles of the shore, and to warn those within 

 the headlands; but not to seize such, except they should be armed 

 or show a disposition to resist. He has no new instructions, but is 

 acting under those of last year. This he stated distinctly. 



In conversation with Sir George on the 13th instant, he informed 

 me that he had received a telegraphic communication from the com- 

 mander of the Basilisk, that he had seized an American schooner for 

 flagrant violation of the terms of the treaty. I said : " Within three 

 miles, Sir George ?" He smiled, and said : For flagrant violation it 

 says nothing about your bays." Yesterday he showed me the com- 

 munication of which he spoke on the 13th, and it was simply, as he 

 had said, " for flagrant violation." The vessel is the schooner Star- 

 light, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and has been sent to Charlotte- 

 town, Prince Edward IslancL to which place I shall proceed at once 

 and get the facts in some official form. I leave instructions for the 

 Fulton to follow me. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



W. B. SHUBRICK, 

 Commanding Eastern Squadron. 



Hon. J. C. DOBBIN, 



Secretary of the Navy, Washington. 



