1722 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



It is a singular mode of proving a present condition of affairs in 1877, 

 to produce what may or may not be a statement of facts in 1800. I 

 should not have considered the point worthy of notice, had not my 

 learned friends brought it forward on more than one occasion, in terms 

 which 1 conceive to be unwarranted. I will therefore only remark, that 

 these assertions are amply disproved by the statements of Judge Ben- 

 nett, Mr. Fraser, and Mr. Kelligrew, who have sufficiently proved the 

 business operations of the country. But when I hear, on the one hand, 

 my learned friend, Mr. Dana, loud in his assertions and professions as 

 to all the good which Americans have done, and all that they are going 

 to do, visiting our coast with money in their hands, and with the best 

 of intentions; and I see, on the other hand, what they have really done, 

 and what they are attempting to do to take our fisheries without an 

 equivalent I am forcibly reminded of that line in the old Latin poet, 

 "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes !" 



But I have up to the present treated this subject from a commercial 

 standpoint only. This is presenting it in its narrowest and most con- 

 tracted aspect. I claim from this commission a consideration of the priv- 

 ileges conceded by Article 18 of the Treaty of Washington, from a 

 broad and national point of view. The United States, with its enor- 

 mous population, ever increasing, demands extended resources from 

 whence to draw those supplies of fish-food which she needs. She re- 

 quires to build up and maintain her position as a great maritime and 

 naval power the largest and most extended field for the training of her 

 seafaring people. The fisheries have ever been the nurseries for seamen. 

 The extension of the fishing limits of the United States affords an in- 

 vestment for additional capital, and occupation for an energetic and en- 

 terprising people. The acquisition she has made under the Treaty of 

 Washington adds to her national greatness. She has expanded beyond 

 her former limits; her ships now float freely and unrestricted over the 

 whole North Atlantic coastal waters. These considerations cannot fail 

 to have weight with you. I ask whether, having now secured the priv- 

 ileges which she thus enjoys, would she yield them up for naught ; or 

 would she not rather brave every contingency for their preservation ? 

 If you believe such to be the case, it affords some additional basis upon 

 which you may calculate what she should now pay for the sterling ad- 

 vantages she has acquired. 



I have thus endeavored to state concisely the ground on which Her 

 Majesty's Government sustains the claim preferred on behalf of New- 

 foundland. The particulars of that claim, amounting to $2,880,000, are 

 set forth in the case of Her Majesty's Government. 1 have proved to 

 you the enormous value of those fisheries, heretofore the exclusive prop- 

 erty of 160,000 people, which fisheries are now thrown open to a great 

 and enterprising nation. 1 have proved that from 25 to 33 per cent, of 

 the $0,000,000 annually produced is profit, (See evidence of Mr. Fraser, 

 lligrew, and Judge Bennett, British Evidence, and Mr. Munn, 

 ish Affidavits, p. 48.) You have the clear proof that from 400 to 

 states vessels take from the Newfoundland coast that bait 

 which is absolutely necessary, in order to a successful prosecution of the 

 iHbery on the banks. Every United States witness produced and 



limned upon this point has told you of the importance attached to 

 isliery, and the profitable results accruing from its prosecution. 



is for you, sirs, to say what is a fair equivalent for the United States 



) pay for the privilege of fishing in common with us in these profitable 



rs and obtaining from our shores that bait which is indispensable 



enable them to carry on and develop that Bank fishery which a master 



