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812 



to draw those supplies offish food which slic needs. She rrqnires to build up and main- 

 tain her position as n great maritime and naval power — t lie largest and most extended 

 field for the training ot" h( r seafaring poojilc. Tl\i> tislierits have ever been the nurseries 

 for seamen. The extension of the tishinj;' limits of the United States affords an invest- 

 ment for additional capital, and ocenpation fur an energetie and enterprisinp; people. 

 The acquisition she lias made under tlie Treaty of NVashinj,'lon adils to her national 

 -greatness. She lias expanded bejond h(>r fornu'r limits ; her ships now float freely and 

 unrestricted over the wliolo Nortli Atlantic coastal waters. These considerations cannot 

 fail to have weight witli you. 1 aslicd whetlier, having now secured the privileges which 

 she thus enjoys, would she yield them up for nought ? or would she not rather bravo 

 every contingency for tluir preservation .' If you believe such to be the case, it affords 

 some additional basis upon whicli you may calculate wiial she should now pay for the 

 sterling advantages she has acquired. 



I have thus endeavoured to state concisely the ground on which Her Majesty's 

 Government sustains tiie claim perferred on behalf of Newfoundland. The particulars 

 of that claim, amounting to 2,880,000 dollars, are set forth in the case of Her Majesty's 

 Government. I have jiroved to you tlie enormous value ot those fisheries, heretofore the 

 exclusive property of 100,000 people, wliicli fislieries are now thrown open to a great 

 and enterprising nation. 1 have proved that from 25 to 33 per cent, of the 0,000,000 

 dollars annually produced is profit. (Si-e evidence of Mr. Fraser, Mr. Kellign^w, and 

 Judge Bennett, Uritish evidence, and of Mr. Munn, Hrilish Affidavits, page 48). You 

 have the clear proof tliat fmin 400 to SOO United States' vessels take from the New- 

 foundland coast tliat bait wiiicli is absoluttjly necessary in order to a successful prosecn- 

 tion of the cod-fishery on the Banks. Every United States' witness produced and 

 examined ujion this point lias told you of the importance attaelied to the cod-fishery, 

 and the profitable results accruing from its prosecution, it is for you. Sirs, to say what 

 is a fair equivalent for the United States to pay for the privilege of fishing in common 

 with us in these prolitabU> waters, and obtaining from our sliores that bait which is 

 indispensable to enable them to carry on and develop that Bank fishery which a master 

 of one of their own vessels refers to as " being capable of unlimited expansion and 

 development." 



I have shown you how the citi7,ens of the United States have used these fisheries 

 in the past, how they arc using them in the present, and the fair and legitimate conclusion 

 that tliey will draw from them in the future, all that capital and energy can bring forth. 



Tlie "Case filed by Her Majesty's Covernnient," the "Answer of the United 

 States," ami tiie " Reply," with tlu^ evidence, is before you. By that evidence your 

 award will be governed. I ask neither for liberality nor generosity, but i ask for a fair 

 equivalent for the privileges conceded. ! have only to add that when I have seen 

 around me. during this inquiry the array of eminent Counsel and Attacii(5s, as well on 

 the part of the United States as of Canada, wlieii 1 liave felt tliat no one amongst them 

 had but a general knowledge of that most ancient colony of tlie British Crown wliieh 

 I have the privileire of representing at this Commission, and that I alone of those around 

 me am intimately acquainted with her resources, and tliat a fair and true representation 

 of her interest and claim depended solely upon my exertions, 1 must confess tiiat 1 have 

 felt a grave responsibility resting upon me ; but 1 cannot sever mv connection with this 

 Commission witlunit acknowledging how much tiiat burden has been lightened by the 

 courtesy which you have extended, and by tlie anxious solicitude which yon have 

 evinced to obtain all the information necessary to enable you to arrive at a just and 

 equitable award. I have implicit confidence that you will conscientiously discharge the 

 important duty devolving u[)on you, and I heartily join in the hope that your labours will 

 result in harmonizing any present discordant feelings which may exist among those 

 more immediately toncerned. and the establishment of a lasting peace and goodwill. 



Mr. Dana. — Will your Honours allow me one word in order to set right a matter of 

 fact to which my learned friend referred, on a matter relating not to testimony or law, 

 but to the C'ounsel of tlie United Stales. I understood him to say, it was generally 

 admitted by the Counsel of the United States here, that Great Britain has a claim fi)r 

 something to be paid, and that the only cpiestion was as to the amount. Was 1 correct 

 in imderstanding you so ? 



Mr. IVhiteway. — Yes. 



.U;-. /Jo»n.— Then I wish to correct that as a matter of fact. 



Mr. Whili'wny. — It seems to hv. generally admitted, I say. The language used by 

 yoursi'lf and broliier Coiiii.si'1 led me to that conclusion. 



Mr. Dana. — 'I'lie Counsel for the United States, Mr. F<i.«ler, Mr. Trescot, and 

 niyselt) all supposed we had said — certainly that was our opinion, aiul what we intended 



