Mr. Davis to Mr. Pakenham
My Dear Mr. Pakenham: Dennis C. Murphy, master of the Lizzie A. Tarr, of Gloucester, has stated, under oath, facts in regard to the action of Her Majesty’s naval officers toward him on the Newfoundland coast which lead me to apprehend that they are not acting in accordance with wishes and instructions of Her Majesty’s government, so far as we are able to judge of those wishes and instructions from the correspondence which has taken place since the conclusion of the treaty of Washington.
The facts stated are that, on the 7th of June last, the Lizzie A. Tarr, being bound on a fishing voyage to the Banks, entered Lambley Harbor, Grand Jarvis, Newfoundland, to buy bait. She was boarded by a boat from the British war steamer Danæ, and was ordered to leave, and refused the privilege of purchasing fresh bait. Captain Murphy inquired as to the authority of such action, but got no reply. He avers that then the British officers tripped the seine then in the hands of English fishermen, and let out the herring, so that no bait could be sold, saying to the fishermen, “What are you doing? If I catch you selling bait to Yankees I will cut up your seine. Where are you to get bread next winter?” Captain Murphy then left the harbor, but as the wind began to blow and rain commenced, he went back for shelter. A boat from the Danæ was lying in wait for him. The officers came on board and showed him a written order from the captain to seize the Lizzie A. Tarr, against which Murphy protested, claiming the right of shelter, but was required to agree in writing to go out at daylight. Murphy declares that this action caused a delay of three weeks, and a loss to all concerned of not less than $2,000.
I would be glad if you would bring the case to the attention of the proper authorities, with a view to the adoption of a more friendly and hospitable treatment of our fishermen, if such conduct shall prove to have been manifested as is reported by Captain Murphy.
Faithfully, yours,