498 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



schooners on various charges of trespass, and condemned 

 them as prizes in the Halifax courts. The disputed ques- 

 tion of American fishery rights was frequently left to the 

 rude arbitrament of American fishermen and the Dominion 

 police, resulting in a severe strain upon the recently restored 

 amicable relations between Great Britain and the United 

 States. In the United States, where Mr. Adams' doctrine 

 that American fishery rights had survived the war still 

 obtained, feelings of anger and hostility to Great Britain 

 grew more and more intense. Fortunately the tension was 

 soon relieved by the Convention of 1818, wherein a com- 

 promise of the troublesome fishery question was effected. 

 The first article of this treaty, the one relating to the 

 fisheries, is as follows : 



Whereas differences have arisen respecting the liberty claimed 

 by the United States for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, and 

 cure fish on certain coasts, bays, harbors and creeks, of His Bri- 

 tannic Majesty's dominions in America, it is agreed between the 

 high contracting parties, that the inhabitants of the United States 

 shall have forever, in common with the subjects of His Britannic 

 Majesty, the liberty to take fish of every kind on that part of the 

 southern coast of Newfoundland which extends from Cape Ray 

 to the Rameau Islands, on the western and northern coast of 

 Newfoundland from the said Cape Ray to the Quirpon Islands ; 

 on the southern shores of the Magdalen Islands, and also on the- 

 coasts, bays, harbors, and creeks, from Mount Joly, on the south- 

 ern coast of Labrador, to and through the Streights of Belleisle, 

 and thence northwardly indefinitely along the coast, without 

 prejudice however, to any of the exclusive rights of the Hudson 

 Bay Company ; and that the American fishermen shall also have 

 liberty forever, to dry and cure fish in any of the unsettled bays, 

 harbors, and creeks of the southern part of the coast of New- 

 foundland hereabove described, and of the coast of Labrador; 

 but so soon as the same, or any portion thereof, shall be settled, it 

 shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such 

 portion so settled, without previous agreement for such purpose 

 with the inhabitants, proprietors, or possessors of the ground. 

 And the United States hereby renounce forever, any liberty 

 heretofore enjoyed or claimed by the inhabitants thereof, to take, 

 dry, or cure fish on, or within three marine miles of any of the 

 coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors of His Britannic Majesty's do- 



