AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1493 



by vessels which, having received a warning, were liable to capture if 

 found fishing again within the three-mile limit. 



6. Moreover, in direct violation of the 1st article of the convention 

 of 1818, American vessels are permitted to resort to the harbors not 

 alone for shelter, repairing damages, or for wood and water, but in order 

 to land and deposit their fish on bond, whence it is conveyed to the 

 United States by a regular line of steamers. 



7. So far as I am aware, the only measure adopted by the colonial 

 authorities has been the employment of the steamer Druid, which, as I 

 have already stated, could not have effected much, as she had other and 

 important duties calling her elsewhere. She occupied also a very anom- 

 alous position in not being a man-of-war. 



8. The result, therefore, is that the encroachments of American fish- 

 ing-vessels are practically disregarded by the colonial authorities, and 

 they are actually encouraged by the inhabitants, who derive large prof- 

 its from supplying their wants at the various ports. Very few colonial 

 vessels are engaged in fishing, owing to the almost prohibitory tariff 

 imposed in the United States on fish imported in colonial vessels, and 

 the colonial fishermen, therefore, in considerable numbers, man the 

 American vessels. 



9. The cruising of three or four of Her Majesty's ships to watch lines 

 of coast of several hundred miles in extent can effect but little in pre- 

 venting encroachment (especially as one warning must be given, and 

 moreover it must be extremely difficult to determine correctly the dis- 

 tance at which a vessel boarded may be from the land), unless they are 

 supplemented by more vigorous measures on the part of the colonial 

 authorities and people, whose interests are, 1 apprehend, alone affected 

 by this question. 



10. I draw attention to the want of action on the part of the colonial 

 authorities not as a matter of complaint, but because it is commonly 

 stated that they are anxious and hope to force the Americans to a re- 

 newal of the Reciprocity Treaty, by confining them strictly to their fish- 

 ing rights, but yet they leave them practically unmolested when they 

 infringe them. 



, 11. I transmit for their lordships' information a letter from the gov- 

 ernor-general of the Dominion, inclosing one from Her Majesty's minis- 

 ter at Washington, respecting a threat, on the part of the American 

 fishermen, to resist by arms any interference. A rumor to the same 

 effect appears to have been current on the fishing grounds, but I should 

 not attach any credit to the story. The fishermen know perfectly well 

 the consideration they have received, much beyond what they are enti- 

 tled to, and they must also be aware that such a proceeding would prob- 

 ably result in the withdrawal of the system of licenses and increased vig- 

 ilance to prevent encroachment. 



12. In conclusion, I would observe that as the American fishermen 

 are all fully. aware of the illegality of fishing within the three-mile limit, 

 and of the means which are afforded them by the license system of ob- 

 taining the privilege of doing so, the order as to giving them one warn- 

 ing should be abandoned, and the public notice should be given before 

 the next season commences that all vessels, without licenses, found 

 fishing within the limit will be at once captured and sent in for adjudi- 

 cation. 



I have, &c., G. G. WELLESLEY, Vice- Admiral. 



The SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY. 



P. S. I have forwarded a copy of this letter and inclosnres to the 

 governor-general of Canada for the information of his government. 



