PERIOD FROM 1841 TO 1854. 123 



It is this construction of the intent and meaning? of the Convention 

 of 1818, for which the colonies have contended since 1841, and which 

 they have desired should be enforced. This, the Enp^lish Govern- 

 ment has now, it woukl appear, consented to do, and tlie immeihate 

 effect will be, the loss of tiie valuable fall fishing to American fisluM-- 

 men; a complete interruption of the extensive fishinp; business of 

 New England, attended by constant collisions of the most unpleasant 

 and exciting character, which may end in the destruction or human 

 life, in the involvement of the Government in questions of a very 

 serious nature, threatening the peace of the two countries. Not 

 agreeing that the construction thus put upon the treaty is conform- 

 able to the intentions of the contracting parties, this information is, 

 however, made public to the end that tliose concerned in the American 

 fisheries may perceive how the case at present stands, and be upon 

 their guard. The whole subject will engage the immediate atten- 

 tion of the Government." 



The publication of this letter by Mr. Webster was made the occa- 

 sion by Lord Malmesbuiy, then the Secretaiy of State for Foreign 

 Affairs, for requesting an interview with Mr. Lawrence, the 

 American Minister at London, which interview was held on August 

 7, 1S52, and v.-as reported to Mr. Webster by Mr. Lawrence in his 

 despatch of August 10th of that year. In reporting tliis interview 

 Mr. Lavxience writes that Lord Malmesbury said, among other 

 things — 



That tliis question was not understood in the United States; that 

 Mr. Webster had sent for Mr. Crampton to come to Boston ; that the 

 British government did not intend to assert any new pnnciple, 

 but only to protect the rights of the colonists in the fisheries, which 

 had been neglected by their predecessors; that what had been done, 

 had been done at the urgent request of the colonists themselves; that 

 the concessions made by Lord Aberdeen, of the right to fish in the 

 Bay of Fundy, were fully recognized by the present government, and 

 would not be withdrawn; that an armed force was sent there at this 

 time to keep the American fishermen three miles from the British 

 shores, in accordance with the provisions of the convention of 1818; 

 that the orders were the same, both with respect to the French and 

 the American fishermen; and finally, that her ^lajesty's government 

 did not intend, by sending an armed force into those waters, to give 

 offence either to the government or to the people of the United States; 

 the sole object being to maintain the neglected rights of the colonists. ^ 



The following extract from the same despatch will show in part 

 Mr. Lawrence's report of the views expressed by him: 



I said that I deeply regretted the course taken by her Majesty's 

 government; that the sending of nineteen armed vessels, without 

 notice, to those waters, (as stated in the provincial journals,) appeared 

 to be a hostile movement, and one that could not but produce 



^Appendix, p. 510. i» Appendix, p. 516. 



