QUESTION TWO. 47 



to remind the Tribunal of the great importance which in those dis- 

 turbed times was attributed to the importance of naval strength. 

 The most important of them are the following: 



1660. Star Chamber Rules of Charles I and additions by Charles 

 II. (British Case, App., p. 512.) 



1670. Order-in- Council of Charles II. (Ibid., p. 519.) 



1675. Report of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Planta- 

 tions relating to the Newfoundland trade and fishery. (Ibid., p. 

 529.) 



1699. An Act to encourage the trade to Newfoundland, 10 & 11 



Wm. Ill, c. 25. (Ibid., p. 525.) 



54 1775. An Act for the encouragement of the fisheries, &c.. 15 

 Geo. Ill, c. 31. (Ibid., p. 543.) 



1786. An Act to amend the several laws in force for encouraging 

 the fisheries, 26 Geo. Ill, c. 26. (Ibid., p. 555.) 



POLICY OF UNITED STATES. 



At the very commencement of their national existence, the United 

 States were most keenly alive to the necessity of an adequate supply 

 of seamen. In the instructions to the United States Minister at 

 Paris (Dr. Franklin) it was stated that (United States Case, App., 

 p. 1148)- 



" the fishery of Newfoundland is justly considered the basis of a good 

 marine ; " 



Mr. Rush, one of the United States negotiators of the treaty of 

 1818, referring to its fishery privileges, said (Ibid., p. 319) : 



" These were rights and liberties of great magnitude to the United 

 States. Besides affording profitable fields of commerce, they fostered 

 a race of seamen, conducive to the national riches in peace, as to 

 defence and glory in war." 



In the letter of Mr. Everett (United States Ambassador at Lon- 

 don) to Lord Aberdeen (25th March, 1845) there is the following 

 (British Case, App., p. 144) : 



" The government of the United States, he is persuaded, would 

 gladly make any reduction in these duties which would not seriously 

 injure the native fishermen ; but Lord Aberdeen is aware that the 

 encouragement of this class of the seafaring community has ever 

 been considered, as well in the United States as Great Britain, as 

 resting on peculiar grounds of expediency. It is the great school 

 not only of the commercial but of the public marine, and the highest 

 considerations of national policy inquire it to be fostered." 



Further reference to the subject may be found in the United States 

 Case, Appendix 628; 1058 ff; 1256. It is unnecessary to multiply 

 quotations to show the attitude of the United States Government 

 upon this question. 



