214 MISCELLANEOUS 



of obtaining wood and water, and for no other purposes whatever, 

 if strictly carried out would not allow them, in my opinion, to do any 

 more than is specified in the convention. I made some enquiry re- 

 specting the words " preparing to fish," from those who I thought 

 might understand the subject, who gave their opinion, that laying the 

 vessel to or putting her in a proper position to fish, was the proper 

 meaning. Another question in my opinion requires some considera- 

 tion that is, that part of the law which requires that vessels after 

 having been seized shall be left in charge of the officer of her maj- 

 esty's customs in the first port which they may enter. 



In case the vessel and cargo should be sold, they would not be worth 

 near as much in some ports as they would in others. As regards 

 Port Hood, there is not any safe place for a vessel to lie unless she 

 has a crew constantly on board. The sixth question, referred to the 

 law officers in England, whether American vessels have a right to 

 enter the harbors of this province for the purpose of obtaining wood 

 and water, having provided, neither of these articles at the com- 

 mencement of the voyage in their own country, appears to be unre- 

 stricted by any condition expressed or implied. I believe it has been 

 the practice or American vessels when bound to the Labrador to stop 

 at some port in Nova Scotia to procure firewood, small spars, such as 

 boat's masts, sprits, oar rafters, gaff handles, and such like things. 



It is my opinion that persons commissioned for the protection of 

 the fisheries, should have very explicit instructions: what would be 

 a sufficient time for procuring wood, water, &c., and likewise how far 

 the word " shelter " should extend. I have examined the report of 

 the committee on the fisheries for 1851, and do not see any further 

 explanation than the law officers in England have given. Their 

 decision respecting the prescribed limits appears to be plain; but 

 respecting the entering our harbours, in my opinion, requires some 

 additional explanation. 

 I have, &c. 



PAUL CROWELL. 



February 10, 1852. 



Extracts from the Journal of the Legislative Assembly of Nova 



Scotia, 1853. 



Colonel Bazalgette to Admiral Seymour. 



GOVERNMENT HOUSE, 

 Halifax, July 2, 1852. 



SIR I have had the honor to receive, and beg to thank your excel- 

 lency for, your letter of yesterday's date. 



I herewith enclose, for your excellency's information, as also to 

 meet the object expressed in your letter, a copy of the amended in- 

 structions given to the commanders of the provincial cruizers, which 

 you will find to embody all the suggestions you were kind enough to 

 offer at the interview to which you refer. 



I am not without the hope, as the season approaches when the 

 mackarel fishers from the United States congregate in the Gulf of 



