1816 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



It would not be advisable for any of the vessels to remain in the Gulf of St. Lawrence 

 after the loth of September ; the gales by that time become frequent and severe ; sharp 

 frosts commence, and the tops of the Gaspe" Mountains are generally covered with snow by 

 the 1st of October. The north side of the Bay Chaleur has been known, I am informed, to 

 be frozen to some extent by the middle of September. 



I should do injustice to the excellent officer in command of the Princeton, Commander 

 Henry Kagle, if I failed to rrake known to the department the able and cheerful assistance in 

 the execution of my duties that I have received at all times from him, and from the accom- 

 plished officers under his command. 



The Fulton, Lieutenant Commanding Watson, has been most actively employed, a great 

 part of the time under my own eye. She has been managed with great judgment ; and I 

 am under obligations to her commander and officers for the alacrity with which my orders 

 have always been carried out. 



The Cyaue and the Decatur, though cruising under my instructions, have not been with 

 me. The reports of Commanders Hollins arid Whittle are doubtless before the department; 

 and, from my knowledge of those officers, I feel that they will be perfectly satisfactory. 



Since writing the above, the report of Commander Hollins has been received, and is here- 

 with inclosed. 



I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



W. B. SHUBRICK, 

 Commanding Eastern Squadron. 



Hon. J. C. DORRIX, 



Secretary of Ike Navy. 



There is Dot one word in the whole of this report which shows that 

 anything h?d taken place for which there was cause for any complaint 

 whatever; and Lieutenant Commanding Watson, of the United States 

 Kavy, wrote the following dispatch, addressed to Commodore Shubrick : 



UNITED STATES STEAMER FULTON, 



Gasp, Lower Canada, September 2, 1853. 



SIR : In accordance with your instructions of the 29th ultimo, I have the honor to report 

 that I received on board at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Major-General Gore, com- 

 mander-in-chief of Her Britannic Majesty's forces in Nova Scotia, and staff, hoisted the 

 English flag at the fore, and proceeded to Pictou, where I landed them. General Gore 

 expressed himself much gratified at your having placed the Fulton at his disposal. 



After parting from you off the island of Pictou, I proceeded, according to your directions, 

 along the north side of the island, in Miramkhi Bay, Chaleur Bay, and to Gaspe, where I 

 was in hopes of meeting you. It was my intention to have gone farther up the Bay of 

 Chaleur); but a h*-avy sea induced me to run for Gaspe". While there, Her Britannic 

 Majesty's steam sloop of war Argus, Captain Purvis, came in. Captain Purvis immediately 

 came on board, and an interchange cf -civilities took place on the most friendly and courte- 

 ous terms. Captain Purvis states that he has not had the least difficulty with our fisher- 

 men, with one exception, and that so slight as not to be taken notice of. 



On my way to this place, I passed between five and six hundred fishermen ; and, in my 

 conversation with those I spoke to, there appears to be the greatest harmony existing be- 

 tween them and the inhabitants. 



On coming to anchor here. I waited on the collector and authorities of the port; and their 

 tatements tend to confirm my previous reports, that, so far from any dissatisfaction being 

 It at our fishermen, they are welcome on the coast, and nothing has yet transpired to alter 

 my previously expressed opinion. 



Very respectfully, I remain, your obedient srrvant, 



J. M. WATSON, 



Lieutenant Commanding, United States Naty. 

 Com. \\ II.I.IAM B. Snuimu K, 



Commanding Kastern Squadron. 



Now, these are American official documents, which certify as to the 

 that the American fishermen had received at the hands of 

 users up to that time. In order to show further what this treat- 

 was J will mention the case of the Charles, which was seized by 

 nn Arabiii, of the Argus, at Shelburne, on the 9th of May, 

 11 , h ugh thls lia PI>eiied a long time ago, I cite it to show how 

 ish Government treated these matters then and ever afterward, 

 harles was actually seized in the very act of fishing: and there 

 be no doubt about the right to condemn her. But the midship- 



