144 The Frederick Gerring, Jr. 



ment that when she was seized she was within three miles of the 

 shore, and that the act of bailing was "fishing" within the meaning 

 of the Canadian statute. The testimony for the Canadian gov- 

 ernment was that the Gerring was within three miles of "Gull 

 Ledge," so-called, when she was seized. Our testimony was that 

 she was at that time more than three and one-half miles distant 

 from said ledge. This "Gull Ledge" is nothing more than a bar- 

 ren rock over which the sea breaks in rough weather, and we con- 

 tend is no part of the Canadian coast. At the time she was seized 

 the Gerring was four and three-quarter miles distant from "Bar- 

 ren Island," "so-called, and six and one-half miles distant from the 

 mainland. After the decision of the Exchequer Court, I called this 

 matter to the attention of your Department and forwarded to Mr. 

 Olney a transcript of the testimony taken in the case, together with 

 a copy of the opinion of the Judge of said Court. I enclose here- 

 with a copy of the opinion of Sedgewick, J. of the Supreme Court, 

 which was concurred in by two other justices of that court ; also a 

 copy of the opinion of Gwynne, J. which was concurred in by the 

 Chief Justice. An examination of the testimony and of the opinions 

 above referred to, will, I have no hesitation in saying, satisfy you 

 that I have been treated harshly and unjustly by the Canadian 

 courts and authorities, and that the decision condemning my vessel 

 is unwarranted. I am advised that it is a case which calls for the 

 interposition of the government of the United States, and I re- 

 spectfully ask you to give the matter your consideration and to take 

 such action as justice and the protection of my rights as a citizen 

 of the United States demand. The Gerring at the time of the 

 seizure, with outfits and catch on board, was valued at Seventy-five 

 Hundred Dollars. The fish were allowed to spoil, and in conse- 

 quence were sold at a reduced price. The vessel has been moored to 

 a wharf in Halifax since the time of the seizure, so that if the 

 vessel is returned to me she will be greatly depreciated in value, 

 the outfits practically worthless, and her fishing gear, boats, and 

 provisions absolutely of no value whatever. Besides all this I have 

 been put to an expense of eleven or twelve hundred dollars for legal 

 advice and other services. 



Respectfully yours, 



Edward Morris. 



