PERIOD FROM 183G TO 1841, 97 



siipi)Ose a vessel has laiii a reasonable time; but this is often clone 

 without examining or knowing much of the circumstances under 

 which the vessel entered, or how long she has been in port. 



The English men-of-war also endorse the papers of the fishermen as 

 if they had violated the blockade, or committed some other illegal act. 



The fishermen claim a right, under the convention, to resort to 

 the ports for shelter whenever from rough weather, calms or fogs, 

 they cannot prosecute, without risk or inconvenience, their labors 

 at sea; and the navigation on some parts of the coast is, on account 

 of the extraordinary tides, as perilous in calms and fogs as in rough 

 weather. 



The Xova Scotia courts would exact that American fishermen 

 shall have been supplied, on leaving home, with wood and water 

 for the cruise; but the Americans believe they can, by the terms 

 of the convention, resort to the ports to procure wood and water 

 at their convenience during the cruise; and they do not, on account 

 of the inconvenience, as well as the high price, take on board either 

 water-casks or wood for the whole cruise. 



If the grounds assumed b}' the British provincial authorities be 

 carried out, it will be in their power to drive the Americans from those 

 parts of the coast where are some of the most valuable fisheries; 

 whereas, if the ground maintained by the Americans be admitted, 

 it will be difficult to prevent their procuring articles of convenience, 

 and particularly bait; from which they are precluded by the conven- 

 tion, and which a party in the provinces seems resolved to prevent. 



The questions will, I doubt not, ere long be brought to a crisis; 

 and it seems probable that the vexatious course pursued towards 

 the fishermen, with the object of fostering their own at the expense 

 of our fisheries, and the care taken by the French to protect and 

 encourage theirs, will tend to injure, perhaps destroy those of this 

 country; a result to be deprecated in connexion with the navy, 

 for there is no branch of commerce which supplies so large a portion 

 of hardy and efficient seamen. 



Although several of the vessels seized by authority of the province 

 of Xova Scotia were afterwards released, the great expense incurred 

 and the time they were detained made the injury to the owners 

 nearly equal to a total loss. 



The person who made the most of these seizures, (a Mr. Darby, 

 who commands a chebacco boat, with ten or twelve men armed 

 with muskets) is prompted, as well by his interest as by a certainty 

 of impunity, to seize all he can find. 



The law of this province, entitled William TV., chap. viii. 1S36, 

 which seems solely intended to persecute our fishermen, could only 

 have been approved by orders in council through an oversight. 



It is not possible that Great Britain intends, when the property 

 of citizens of a nation in amity is seized on false pretences, or with no 

 pretence, to force the lawful owner to give heavy bonds, liable to be 

 forfeited, in addition to vessel and cargo, before he can claim his 

 property. 



To give a month's notice to the seizing officer; the notice to con- 

 tain every thing intended to be proved against him, before a suit 

 can be instituted ; and, again, to prove that the notice has been given: 



