317 



NOTE. 



I hoped to conclude with the wclconio annunciation that the controversy between England 

 and the United States, rehitive to tiie intent and nieiming of the first article of the conven- 

 tion of 1818, had been brought to a close. Such, howerer. is not the fact. 



I may be peniiitted to remark, also, that as the despatches of the lion. Abbott Lawrence, 

 our late accomplished envoy to tlio court of St. James, relative to this subject, have not been 

 made public, an account of his endeavors to eftect an adjustment of the difficulties between 

 the two governments could not be embraced in this report. It is understood, unofficially, 

 that Mr. Lawrence (but for circumstances not to be related here) might possibly have concluded 

 an arrangement which would have been satisfactory to his countrymen and have insured 

 future peace upon the fishing grounds. 



Should the l>ill " To regulate the rights of fishing, and the rights of disposing of the proceeds 

 qflhefsherics in and between t/te British North American provinces and the I'nitid Htntes,'^ which 

 was introduced into the Senate on the oth of February, 1853, by the Hon. John Davis, become 

 a law, the object so much to be desired may be accomplished before the opening of the; next 

 fishing season. The friends of Mr. Davis cannot wish for him greater honor, at the close of a 

 long and useful public career, than the paternity of a measure so important to his native Com- 

 monwealth and to the whole country. 



