1154 MISCELLANEOUS. 



lieve that both French and English fished from the decks of their 

 vessels, without coming to anchor, and without lines moored with 

 several thousand baited hooks attached thereto, as at present. There 

 is much difference of opinion as to the degree of injury to the shore, 

 or English fishery, on this account ; but since the question is one to be 

 settled entirely by the "declaration" in 1783 namely, that "the 

 method of carrying on the fishery which has at all times been ac- 

 knowledged shall be the plan upon which the fishery shall be carried 

 on there," and that "it shall not be deviated from by either party,"- 

 there need be no inquiry into any other matter. The "plan" of the 

 "Bultow" had not at all times been acknowledged" in 1783, and it is 

 therefore an aggression. 



The last complaint of the English colonists which I shall notice is, 

 that ' 'the exclusive right of fishing exercised by the French from Cape 

 Ray to Cape John is a usurpation." The ' 'declaration" just referred 

 to was framed expressly that " the fishermen of the two nations 

 may not give cause for daily quarrels;" and different fishing-grounds 

 were assigned to each, to accomplish an object so desirable to both. 

 Moreover, the British ministry engaged to remove "the fixed settle- 

 ments" of their own people within the limits prescribed to the French, 

 and actually issued orders for the purpose soon after the conclusion 

 of the treaty. The intention was, I cannot doubt, that vessels of the 

 two flags should never pursue the cod on the same coasts; and unless 

 the words quoted convey this meaning, they mean nothing. The 

 experience of more than a century had shown that, under any other 

 arrangement, "daily quarrels" would be inevitable. I submit, with 

 deference, that the interest of all parties imperatively requires that 

 people of different origin, language, and religion, and of national 

 prejudices almost invincible, should be kept apart. 



The French government wisely protect their fisheries by bounties 

 wisely consider them of national importance.* Without its aid, they 



* [TRANSLATION.] 



The National Assembly of France has passed a law of the following tenor relative to 

 the great maritime fisheries. June 24th, 9th and 22d July, 1851. 



CAP. I. COD-FISHERY. 



From the 1st January, 1852, to the 30th June, 1861, the bounties granted for the en- 

 couragement of the cod-fishery will be fixed as follows: 



1st. Bounty on the outfit 



Fifty francs per man of the crew employed at the fishery, either on the coast of New- 

 foundland, at St. Peter's and Miquelon, or on the Grand Bank, and possessing a drying- 

 place. 



Fifty franca per man of the crew employed in the Iceland fishery, without a drying- 

 place. 



Thirty francs per man of the crew employed at the fishery on the Grand Bank of New- 

 foundland, and without a drying-place. 



Fifteen francs per man of the crew employed at the Dogger Bank fishery. 



2d. Bounty on the produce of the fishery 



Twenty francs per metric quintal of dry codfish, the produce of the French fishery, 

 to be shipped, either direct from the fishing settlements or from the ports of France, for 

 the markets of the French colonies of America and India, or for the settlements on the 

 west coast of Africa, and other transatlantic countries provided, always, that the fish 

 be landed at a port where there is a French consul. 



Sixteen francs per metric quintal of dry codfish, the produce of the French fishery, 

 shipped either direct from the fishing settlements or from the ports of France, and des- 

 tined for the countries of Europe and the foreign states on the shores of the Mediterra- 

 nean, Sardinia and Algeria being excepted. 



Sixteen francs per metric quintal of dry codfish, the produce of the French fishery, 

 that may be imported into the French colonies of America and India, and other trans- 



