agent has exercised its delegated powers in an unfriendly way.  Vessels have been seized without notice or warning, in violation of the custom previously prevailing, and have been taken into the colonial ports, their voyages broken up, and the vessels condemned.  There is reason to believe that this unfriendly and vexatious treatment was designed to bear harshly upon the hardy fishermen of the United States, with a view to political effect upon this Government.  The statutes of the Dominion of Canada assume a still broader and more untenable jurisdiction over the vessels of the United States.  They authorize officers or persons to bring vessels hovering within 3 marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors of Canada into port, to search the cargo, to examine the master on oath touching the cargo and voyage, and to inflict upon him a heavy pecuniary penalty if true answers are not given; and if such a vessel is found “preparing to fish” within 3 marine miles of any of such coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors without a license, or after the expiration of the period named in the last license granted to it, they provide that the vessel, with her tackle, etc., shall be forfeited.  It is not known that any condemnations have been made under this statute.  Should the authorities of Canada attempt to enforce it, it will become my duty to take such steps as may be necessary to protect the rights of the citizens of the United States.

It has been claimed by Her Majesty’s officers that the fishing vessels of the United States have no right to enter the open ports of the British possessions in North America, except for the purposes of shelter and repairing damages, of purchasing wood and obtaining water; that they have no right to enter at the British custom-houses or to trade there except in the purchase of wood and water, and that they must depart within twenty-four hours after notice to leave.  It is not known that any seizure of a fishing vessel carrying the flag of the United States has been made under this claim.  So far as the claim is founded on an alleged construction of he convention of 1818, it can not be acquiesced in by the United States.  It is hoped that it will not be insisted on by Her Majesty’s Government.

During the conferences which preceded the negotiation of the convention of 1818 the British commissioners proposed to expressly exclude the fishermen of the United States from “the privilege of carrying on trade with any of His Britannic Majesty’s subjects residing within the limits assigned for their use;” and also that it should not be “lawful for the vessels of the United States engaged in said fishery to have on board any goods, wares, or merchandise whatever, except such as may be necessary for the prosecution of their voyages to and from the said fishing grounds:  and any vessel of the United States which shall contravene this regulation may be seized, condemned, and confiscated, with her cargo.”