MISCELLANEOUS. 1237 



iron, cordage and canvas, are cheaper in the colonies than in the 

 United States, as are salt, hooks and lines. There is also great advan- 

 tage enjoyed in the former in reference to the supply of bait and 

 curing the fish. These, and other causes, have enabled the colonial 

 fishermen to drive those of the United States out of many foreign 

 markets, and might do so at home but for the protection afforded by 

 the duties. 



"It may be added that the highest duty on the kinds of fish that 

 would be sent to the American market is less than a half-penny per 

 pound, which cannot do more than counterbalance the numerous 

 advantages possessed by the colonial fishermen. 



"The undersigned supposes, though he has no particular informa- 

 tion to that effect, that equal or higher duties exist in the colonies on 

 the importation of fish from the United States. 



"The undersigned requests the Earl of Aberdeen to accept the 

 assurance of his high consideration." 



At the date of these letters, Mr. Everett seems to have believed that 

 " the negotiation was in the most favorable state for a full and satis- 

 factory adjustment" of every question in dispute. This is evident 

 from his despatch of April 23<i, 1845, to Mr. Buchanan, who had suc- 

 ceeded Mr. Calhoun as Secretary of State, and from other sources 

 which are equally authentic. The opening of the Bay of Fundy, con- 

 sidered in itself alone, "though nominally confirming the interpreta- 

 tion of the treaty which the colonial authorities had set up, was," in 

 fact, " a practical abandonment of it;" and we have the highest assur- 

 ance that the British government "contemplated the further exten- 

 sion of the same policy by the adoption of a general regulation that 

 American fishermen should be allowed freely to enter all bays of which 

 the mouths were more than six miles wide. This intention was com- 

 municated to Lord Falkland by Lord Stanley in a despatch of May 19, 

 1845. The former, in his reply, dated June 17, requested that, as the 

 plan had reference to matters deeply affecting the interests of Xova 

 Scotia, and involved so many considerations to the elucidation of 

 which local knowledge and information were essentially necessary, the 

 negotiation might be suspended until he should have an opportunity 

 of addressing the colonial secretary again. In a second despatch, 

 written on the 2d of July, Lord Falkland observed that in previous 

 communications he had very fully explained the reasons why he should 

 deeply lament any relaxation of the construction of the treaty which 

 would admit of the American fishing vessels carrying on their opera- 

 tions within three miles of a line drawn from headland to headland of 

 the various bays on the coast of Nova Scotia, and that he did not then 

 retract the opinions he had expressed on these occasions. He said, 

 further, that, as much technical knowledge and verbal accuracy were 

 required in treating the subject, he had directed the attorney general 

 of the colony to prepare a report, which lie enclosed, and to which he 

 desired Lord Stanley's particular attention; and he remarked, in con- 

 clusion, that "he was convinced such relaxation of the treaty of ISIS. 

 as was apparently contemplated by Lord Aberdeen, would, if carried 

 into effect, produce very deep-rooted dissatisfaction both in his own 

 colony and m New Brunswick, and cause much injury to a very large 

 and valuable class of her Majesty's subjects." A copv of the report 

 of the Hon. J. AY. Johnston, referred to by Lord Falkland, follows. 

 American readers will fail to find the "technical knowledge and verbal 



