208 MISCELLANEOUS 



to protect these our staple interests against that depression which 

 must appear inevitable under the operation of Foreign competition 

 and interference to which the Fisheries of this Colony have been 

 exposed. We have sought these measures of relief, but hitherto, we 

 regret to add, with but little effect. We humbly conceive that we 

 were justified in hoping for more satisfactory results from the prayers 

 we addressed to Your Majesty on this important question, for the 

 reasons which we again respectfully submit. 



The causes which operate so detrimentally on our Trade and 

 Fisheries were created by Treaties entered into by the Imperial Gov- 

 ernment with Foreign Powers with a regard solely to the exigencies 

 of Imperial interests. The treaty of Utrecht and subsequent Treaties 

 gave Foreigners the right of fishing on the Banks and the principal 

 part of the shores of this island, and the additional right which gives 

 pernicious efficiencj 7 to the former, that of landing and curing on 

 a large portion of our Coast. The French have stimulated the fish- 

 eries thus acquired by enormous bounties, and have prosecuted them 

 with such vigour that in the absence of protection to British inter- 

 ests they have practically converted their concurrent right of fishing 

 on that portion of our coast extending from Cape Ray to Cape John 

 to one of exclusive enjoyment. The concessions to the Americans by 

 the Treaty of 1818. give them advantages of which they also, sus- 

 tained by their bounties, fully avail. Were the evil confined simply 

 to the rights of fishing granted to these Powers, the British people 

 of this Colony would feel but little cause of complaint; for fair com- 

 petition on equal terms would create no apprehension on their minds 

 as to the result. But these Powers have eagerly availed themselves 

 of the rights thus unwisely conferred, to train men for their re- 

 spective navies, and have consequently encouraged their fisheries by 

 enormous bounties. Our self-supporting Fisheries are compelled to 

 compete with this bounty-sustained competition of our rivals in For- 

 eign markets, where they may sell without loss at a price which 

 would only yield to the British fisherman one-half the cost of produc- 

 tion. The ultimate consequences of these evils, of which the growing 

 increase of the Foreign fisheries makes us every day more sensible, 

 must be apparent; and when they are so clearly traceable to arrange- 

 ments dictated solely by a regard to Imperial concerns, the Assembly 

 have thought that their claims for redress could not have been justly 

 treated with neglect and unconcern. 



But even at the risk of being thought importunate, the Assembly 

 feel that they should be wanting in their duty, did they fail again 

 to urge on the attention of Your Majesty the perils to which our 

 vital interests continue to be unceasingly exposed from the causes 

 above stated. 



We also desire to bring under the notice of Your Majesty the 

 change made in the duties in Spain on fish imported into that 

 country. This change, while increasing the former heavy tax on our 

 staple, also effects an increase in the previous difference of charge 

 on fish imported in British ships, as compared with that payable on 

 the article when brought in by the ships of Spain. Spanish vessels 

 entering the ports of this colonj^ enjoy all the immunities that are 

 incident to British ships, and bring their produce into our markpts 

 on equal terms with ourselves; while in return we are met by a Tariff, 



