AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1629 



kets of the United States at low prices, and from which they cannot fail 

 to derive a very great and permanent advantage. 



Gentlemen of the Commission, I have tried to make a business speech 

 on a business question, and I shall spare my own voice and your patience 

 any peroration. I hope I have established to your satisfaction that the 

 exchange of the right to the inshore fisheries for the free markets of the 

 United States leaves the preponderance of benefits and advantages 

 largely on the side of the Canadians. Such certainly is the belief of the 

 Government and people of the United States. A declaration to that 

 eft'ect, that is, a declaration that no money award ought to be made, in our 

 opinion is required by the evidence, and by every consideration of justice. 

 If this be so, the consequences are immaterial to us, but I cannot re- 

 frain from saying that, though such a result might cause a little tran- 

 sient disappointment to a few individuals, it would, in my judgment, 

 tend more than anything else to establish the permanent relations be- 

 tween the United States and the Do.minion of Canada on :-i footing of 

 justice and peace, friendship and commercial prosperity. We are neigh- 

 bors in geographical position, we are sprung from the same common 

 origin, we speak the same language, have inherited the same literature, 

 to a large extent have common traditions and history; we live under 

 very similar laws and free institutions; we are two great, free, energetic, 

 prosperous countries, which cannot help respecting each oth>r, and 

 though the surface may be occasionally for a short time ruffled to a 

 trifling degree, yet in the depths of the hearts of the people of each 

 country they entertain for each other a sincere and profound good will. 



V. 



CLOSING ARGUMENT OF HON. WILLIAM H. TRESCOT, ON BEHALF OF THE 



UNITED STATES. 



Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMISSION: I am very 

 glad that in this controversy there is one point upon which we are all 

 agreed, and that is, the importance of settling it, of having a source of 

 constant irritation dried up forever, or, better still, if it be possible, of 

 having it converted into a spring of mutual and perpetual benefit. 

 Whatever, therefore, may be the direct practical result of this investi- 

 gation, we shall have achieved no small or inconsiderable thing, if we 

 have learned at its close to appreciate each other's rights and interests 

 fairly, justly, and kindly. 



The best way to secure that end is to speak on both sides with entire 

 candor, to state our respective views as clearly and as strongly as we 

 can, and then to leave it to the impartial judgment of the Commission 

 to balance our calculations, compare our pretensions, and estimate at 

 their true value the claims which we have submitted, only asking them 

 to remember that they do not sit here as arbitrators to compromise rival 

 interests, but as the appraisers of certain values, as the judges of the 

 correctness of certain facts and figures. 



I conceive it to be the duty of every one participating in this inves- 

 tigation to do all he can to aid the Commission in reaching an agree- 

 ment, and that you will arrive at some sound and satisfactory conclu- 

 sion, I sincerely hope; for, during the whole of our examination, I confess 

 I have never looked up at the picture of His Majesty George III, which 

 hangs behind the president's chair, without feeling that it is not credit- 



