MISCELLANEOUS. 107 5 



The French Fisheries are upheld by the supplies of Bait they 

 receive from our shores. By the Imperial Act 26, Geo. 3, this 

 traffic is declared to be illegal; and yet it is vigorously carried on 

 because of the absence of a sufficient preventive force to suppress 

 it. On the coast of Labrador Your Majesty's subjects are exposed 

 to continued depredations on the part of the French and Americans, 

 and though annually visited by one of your Majesty's ships, this 

 serves but little more than to ascertain the fact that such incursions 

 are made, and that they can only be prevented by the continued pres- 

 ence of a Man-of-War during the summer season. 



Two or three War-steamers employed during the Fishing-season 

 would be required to protect that portion of our rights which the 

 treaties have left us. Several French vessels of War are constantly 

 occupied in the protection of their Fishery, while the occasional 

 presence of one vessel is all we have hitherto had to show that 

 British protection extends to this ancient colony. 



In the markets of Spain, Portugal and Brazil, our staple export 

 is subject to enormous rates of duty, and in the latter country a still 

 further increase appears to be contemplated. If firmly urged by 

 your Majesty's Government we should have confident hope that on 

 the occasion of new treaties with these powers, arrangements may be 

 effected less detrimental to our interests. 



We humbly submit the premises for your Majesty's consideration. 

 And we pray that such assistance may be extended to us as will 

 relieve the Colony from its pecuniary embarrassment, and that such 

 other measures may be adopted as will avert the ruin which further 

 neglect of this loyal dependency must inevitably, and at no distant 

 period, occasion. 



On motion of Mr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Job. 



Resolved, That the said Address be adopted and engrossed. 



Extracts from the journal of the legislative assembly of Nova 



Scotia, 1853. 



Registrar of the Vice- Admiralty Court to Provincial Secretary 



Howe. 



REGISTRY OF THE COURT OF VICE ADMIRALTY AT HALIFAX, 



August 12, 1852. 



SIR : I have the honor to enclose herewith, for the information of 

 his excellency the lieutenant-governor, a return of the vessels prose- 

 cuted in this court, belonging to American citizens, and seized for 

 fishing, or preparing to fish, in British waters, from 1817 to 1821, 

 both inclusive. Also a return of the number of American vessels 

 seized for violation of the convention made between the government 

 of Great Britain and the United States of America, in the year 1818, 

 and prosecuted in this court, with the dates of their seizure and con- 

 demnation or restoration. Amongst the papers in the cases of the 

 Betsy and Polly, is a notice endorsed on the fishing licenses of these 

 vessels, of which I beg permission to enclose a copy. 



I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, 



SCOTT TREMAIN, registrar. 

 To the honorable JOSEPH HOWE, 



Provincial secretary, c&c., &c., &c. 



