30 



carrying on the fishery which has, at all times been acknowledged 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 ail times been ackmwledged" in 1783, and it is therefore an aggres- 

 sion. ' ... 



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 firamed expressly that "the fishermen of the two nations may 

 not give cause for daily quarrels ;" and diSerent fishing-grounds were 

 assigned to each, to accomplish an object so desirable to both. More- 

 over, the British ministry engaged to remove "the fixed settlements" 

 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 expe- 

 rience of more than a century had shown that, under any other arrange- 

 ment, "daily quarrels" would be inevitable. I submit, with deference, 

 that the interest of all parties imperatively requires that people of dif- 

 ferent origin, language, and religion, and of national prejudices almost 

 invincible, should be kept apart. 



The French government wisely protiect their fisheries by bounties — 

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



'[translation.] 



The National Assembly of France h^s passed a law of the following tenor relative to the 

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



Cap. I. — CoD-FisHKRY. 



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

 ment of the cod-fishery will be fixed as foUows : 



1st. — Bounty on the outfit — 



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

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



Fifty francs 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 Newfoimd- 

 ktnd, and without a drying-place. 



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



2d. — Bounty on tjie produce f^f tliejisherjf — 



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; aad other transatlantic countries — provided, always, that the fish be lauded 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 destined for the 

 countries of Europe and the foreign states on the shores of the Mediterranean, Sardinia and 

 Algeria b^ng 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 transatlantic coun- 

 tries, when said fish are exported from the ports of France without having been there landed. 



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

 for Sardinia and Algeria, either direct from the fishing settlements or from the ports of France. 



Twenty francs per metric quintal of the hard roe of codfish, the produce of the French fidk- 

 ery, brought into France by their fishing-vessels. 



iVbte.— One kilogi-amme is equal to S tbs. Slos.;. 280i lbs. equal to 1 quintal metriqae, 

 (say metric quintal.) 



