No. 265.
Mr. M. M. Jackson to Mr. Fish.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith two numbers of the Halifax Morning Chronicle—a leading newspaper published in this city— containing an editorial article, as well as extracts from other provincial papers, relative to the recent action of the Canadian and imperial authorities prohibiting the transshipment in bond from Canadian and other provincial ports of American-caught fish.
This sudden prohibition of the bonding system, which has existed for years without interruption, and which has been mutually beneficial to the traders of both countries, evinces a determination on the part of the Dominion and imperial authorities to throw every obstacle in the way of American fishing vessels visiting for any purpose a Canadian or colonial port.
It appears to me, in view of the unprecedented stringency of recent acts of the Canadian parliament in reference to the fisheries, and the still more unprecedented stringency with which those acts are attempted to be enforced against American fishermen, at a time, too, when the policy of modern nations favors a relaxation of the restrictions upon the deep-sea fisheries, that our Government would be justified, while [Page 424] similar privileges are denied to our own people, in discontinuing or suspending the operation of the bonding system, so far as it relates to shipments between and to and from the British North. American Provinces.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
[The inclosure is not sent.]