249 



Scotia, andinvolved so many considerations to the elucidation of which 

 local knowledge and infbrnjation were essentially necessary, the nego^ 

 tiation 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 comxnu^i- 

 cations 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 operations 

 within three miles of a hne drawn from headland to headland of the 

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

 tract 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 he enclosed, and to 

 which he desired Lord Stanley's particular attention; and he re- 

 marked, in conclusion, that " be was convinced such relaxation of the 

 treaty of 1818, as was apparently contemplated by Lord Aberdeen, 

 would, if carried into effect, produce very deep-rooted dissatisfaction 

 both in his own colony and in New Brunswick, and cause much injury 

 to a very large and valuable class of her Majesty's subjects." A copy 

 of the report of the Hon. J. W. Johnston, referred to by Lord Falk- 

 land, follows. American readers'wiil fail to find the " technical knowl- 

 edge and verbal accuracy" indicated by his lordship ; while, if they 

 will turn to the arguments of Mr. Everett, to which i* replies, they 

 wiU also find that the positions of our minister are neither fairly met 

 nor essentially weakened. It may be admitted that some points cire 

 stated with force and with, fairness. But this document adds nothing 

 to the reputation of the attorney general, who is justly considered to 

 be an able man ; for it is deficient in learning, upon the matters in con- 

 troversy, deficient in 'f accuracy," in the statements of facts relative to 

 the course and character of our fishei-men, and in its tone and spirit 

 hardly more to be admired than the common accounts of "American 

 aggressions" which appear in the colonial newspapers. 



Under date of June 16, 1845, Mr. Johnston says: , 



"My Lord: Agreeably to your excellency's desire, I have the honor 

 to report such suggestions as appear to arise from the despatch of the 

 Right Hon. the Secretary of citate for the colonies, dated 10th May 

 last, and the correspondence accompanying it of the United States 

 minister at London and her Majesty's government, on the subject of the 

 fisheries on the coasts of her Majesty's North American provinces. 



" The concession of a right to fish in the Bay of Fundy has been 

 followed by the anticipated consequence, the demand for more ex- 

 tended surrenders, based upon what has been already gaitied*; and it 

 is to be feared that the relaxations now contemplated, if carried into 

 effect, will practically amount to an unrestricted license to American 

 fishermen. 



"When their right to fish within the larger bays, or at the mouths of 

 the smaller inlets, shall be estabhshed, the ease with which they may 

 run into the. shores — whether to fish, or for obtaining bait, or for draw- 

 ing off" the shoals of fish, or for smuggUng — ^afld the facihty of escape 



