46 CASE OF THE UNITED STATES. 



In the same note in which the order above quoted was enclosed, 

 Mr. Bagot also inclosed a copy of the report from the captain of the 

 Dee to his admiral, dated June 8, 1817, stating his reasons for 

 making the seizures, which report is in full as follows : 



In compliance with your order of the 12th ultimo, I sailed from 

 Halifax on the 30th ultimo, but did not meet or receive any intelli- 

 gence of foreign fishing vessels being within our jurisdiction until 

 the 3d instant; when, being off the Isle Maten, I was informed 

 that the whole of the banks to the westward (off Cape Sable and 

 Shelburne) were fished by American schooners; and that they con- 

 tinually resorted to the creeks on this coast in order to catch their 

 bait, clean their fish, wood, water, &c. ; this, of course, is highly 

 detrimental to the interest of the industrious fishermen on this coast. 

 I was also informed that the intricate harbors of Cape Negro and 

 Ragged island were their resort most evenings, several going in ; but 

 more particularly on Saturdays, when they remain till Monday, to 

 procure bait for the ensuing week. At the former place they*^ had 

 not been well received ; at the latter, I suspect, much encouragement 

 had been given them by an individual. I intended having our boats 

 into Ragged island harbor before daylight on the 4th, but light winds 

 prevented our getting that length. I, therefore, in the course of 

 the day, put into Shelburne; and, in the evening, despatched the 

 boats, under the charge of Lieutenant Hooper, into Ragged island, 

 with the order I enclose ; the weather preventing any boats returning 

 until the 7th, when I received information that nine American ves- 

 sels had been found at Ragged island harbor, lying with their nets 

 set. Lieutenant Hooper remained at this place, and despatched 

 Lieutenant Lechenere, with a gig and cutter, to Cape Negro, with 

 the enclosed order. He found two American fishing vessels in the 

 harbor, and seven others came in in the course of Saturday. The 

 whole joined me this day with two others that came into Ragged 

 island. I have, therefore, in obedience to your directions, sent them 

 into Halifax for adjudication; as any distress they may plead might, 

 with more ease, be relieved at the regular harbor of Shelburne, which 

 has been avoided for two intricate harbors in its immediate neigh- 

 borhood. 



I beg further to state, that, without the use of our harbors, it 

 appears impossible for any foreigners to carry on successful fishing 

 on this coast, which fishing has much injured our fishermen; and I 

 have every reason to believe that considerable smuggling of tobacco, 

 shoes, &c. is carried on by their boats. I beg leave to enclose a list 

 of the detained vessels, and also to inform you that, from some of 

 the Americans attempting to tamper with some of our boats' crews, 

 and the riotous conduct of others, I have been obliged to take pre- 

 cautionary measures to prevent any of the vessels being run away 

 with.*^ 



The reports received by the United States Government in regard 

 to these seizures differ materially from Captain Chambers' report, as 



<* Appendix, p. .300. 



