BRITISH, COLONIAL AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 267 



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 used might to some extent be dispensed with. A 

 single vessel of war discreetly stationed in the vicinity of the prin- 

 cipal fishing grounds, say alternately at Port Hood, Cape Breton, 

 and George Town, Prince Edward Island, and perhaps an additional 

 port to the northward of the Island, from the first of July to the 

 tenth of November, would be sufficient, if in connexion with her 

 and subject to proper communication with her Commander, four or 

 five fast-sailing schooners of similar size and appearance to the ordi- 

 nary 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 Dominion. The expense of such a force is easy of ascertain- 

 ment, 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 judg- 

 ment would be the probable effects of dealing with the American 

 fishermen in the more liberal spirit of cheap licenses. In a former 

 part of this communication I have referred to the active and advan- 

 tageous business relations subsisting between them and the merchants 

 traders, and others, in the Eastern Counties of Nova Scotia, and par- 

 ticularly at the Strait of Canso, during the existence of the Reci- 

 procity Treaty, and pointed out the very prosperous condition of our 

 own people during that period. Much depression has prevailed since 

 its abrogation, caused principally by the exaction of a higher rate of 

 tonnage dues, which has induced the Americans to transfer their 

 former business relations to Prince Edward Island, where the terms 

 of the Convention of 1818 are practically permitted to be unrecog- 

 nized. The suggestion I have offered with regard to the imposition 

 of a nominal duty of 50 cents, seems to me if adopted as well calcu- 

 lated to restore to the sections of Nova Scotia referred to, much of 

 their former prosperity and consequent contentment. I firmly believe 

 that licenses at that rate will be generally if not universally accepted. 

 The liberty to use our ports as a consequence of such acceptance of 

 licenses will be again embraced. The transfer of their trade to Prince 

 Edward Island will be checked, if not abandoned. The Americans 

 will use the more convenient ports of the Strait of Canso. Their 

 cargoes will be landed and stored there, while if they desire to ship 

 the same to their own home markets, facility to do so by steamers 

 which pass through the Strait of Canso weekly will be at hand. And 

 I feel convinced that a marked improvement in our trade and business 

 generally would be the immediate result. 



