No. 264.
Mr. Wm. A. Dart to Mr. Davis
No. 114.]
Consulate General of the U. S.
A. for the British North American
Provinces,
Montreal
,
August 25, 1870. (Received August
29.)
Sir: While at Prince Edward Island a few days
since, I was informed by Mr. J. C. Hall, and other extensive fishermen
on that island, that they were daily expecting an order to the
commandants of her Majesty’s vessels cruising along that island,
forbidding American fishermen the privilege, heretofore long enjoyed by
American vessels, of entering its ports to dry fish, purchase supplies,
and to reship their fish for ports in the United States.
On my return yesterday I received from Mr. Hall a letter and a copy of “The Patriot’’ upon that subject, which I
have the honor to inclose for the information of the Department.
The fishing interests of Prince Edward Island are mainly in American
hands. Mr. Hall informs me that of the twelve or fourteen thousand
barrels of mackerel annually shipped from there his firm ships eight
thousand barrels.
The islanders are quite largely interested in furnishing shippers with
supplies of barrels, salt, provisions, &c., who will be nearly
ruined by a strict enforcement of the treaty of October 20, 1818.
One of the members of the Dominion government is freely quoted in the
island as having said that the government intended, by a strict
enforcement [Page 423] of colonial
rights, to compel a reciprocity treaty with the United States.
I agree in opinion with the editor of “The Patriot” upon the probable
effect of such a policy.
I have the honor to be. very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM A. DART, Consul
General.
[Untitled]
Charlotte-town,
August 19, 1870.
Dear Sir: Her
Majesty’s steamers Valorous and Plover have closed up all trade
privileges of landing mackerel in the ports of this island; ordered
off a Gloucester schooner this morning; would not allow her to take
her bait or supplies.
Her voyage is broken up, and she goes directly to Gloucester. This
Japanese policy has been sprung upon this island without a day’s
notice. As all ports of this gulf are now closed against our
fishermen, and as late in the season they cannot prosecute the
fisheries unless they can make use of the harbors at will, unless
something is done, our vessels must abandon these fishing grounds.
The island government would protect them had they the power. But
they are helpless. That the trade commercial regulations, including
the landing of mackerel, that have existed and been encouraged here
for the last six years, should be terminated at once, is, to say the
least of it, unfriendly to the last degree, and should receive the
immediate attention of our Government. The remedy is plain; close up
the shipment of goods in bond through the States to Canada. This
whole business has been one of a purely commercial character, and
the treaty of 1818, under which this outrage upon our fishermen is
justified, has no connection with it. The restriction then was to
prevent our fishermen from landing on the shores where there were no
ports, to cure and dry their fish, and to prevent illicit trade.
Here our fishermen enter and clear, and take out permit to land
their mackerel from the collector, and as their mackerel are a free
article in this island, there can be no illicit trade. I trust this
will receive the prompt attention of our Government.
Yours, truly,
William A. Dart, Esq., United States Consul
General British Provinces, North America.
[Inclosure No. 2 is not sent.]
