No. 330.
Sir Edward
Thornton to Mr. Evarts.
Washington, January 21,
1880.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for
the information of the Government of the United States, copy of a letter
and of its inclosures
[Page 504]
addressed by the inspector of fisheries for British Columbia to the
Canadian commissioner of fisheries, relating to trespass committed on
certain of the inshore fishing grounds in that province by a United
States vessel, the schooner Emily Stephenson, Henderson master, of
Astoria, Oregon, 68 tons register.
I have deemed it right to make you acquainted with these circumstances,
thinking that it may perhaps appear expedient that such instructions
should be given to the authorities of the United States in the State of
Oregon and in Washington Territory as would lead them to warn citizens
of the United States against a repetition of trespasses similar to the
one alluded to in the inclosed correspondence.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Rosebank, Victoria, British
Columbia,
November 15,
1879.
Sir: During my tour of inspection on the
northwest coast in July, I learned that an American schooner had
some time previously visited the Goletas channel and there fished
for halibut. As the provisions of the Washington treaty are
construed not to apply to this province, and in effect our people
are debarred from all fishing privileges in the narrow waters on the
American side, the proceeding was clearly in violation of the
locally existing fishery regulations.
After much inquiry I have ascertained the following particulars:
Schooner Emily Stephenson, Henderson master, of Astoria, Oregon, 68
tons register, visited Newitly (Newiti of map) early in May;
proceeded to Knight’s Inlet and there procured a supply of ice; then
fished and filled up with halibut at Newitly Bar. Is reported to
have returned in September, and again taken a load of halibut.
On application at the custom-house I am informed that at no time
during the past season has this vessel entered or cleared in
Victoria. The customs law having thus been equally violated, I have
communicated to the collector in Victoria whatever information I
have obtained.
I append copy of a letter from Mr. Robert Hunt, agent of the Hudson’s
Bay Company at Fort Rupert, in reply to my request for information
on the subject. I also append a tracing which, applied to Tratch’s
map sent by me to the department last year, will indicate the
relative position of the localities referred to. I have not yet been
able to meet the Mr. Douglas referred to by Mr. Hunt, but will
forward his deposition as soon as obtained.
I beg that you will submit the foregoing statement of facts for the
information of the minister, and that I may have instruction for my
future guidance in the event of the recurrence of the irregularity
complained of.
I have, &c.,
ALEX. C. ANDERSON,
Inspector of
Fisheries, British Columbia.
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Hunt to Mr.
Anderson.
Fort Rupert, British
Columbia,
October 25,
1879.
Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the
14th instant. The schooner that was at Newitly, fishing halibut, was
called the Emily Stephenson, of Astoria, 68 tons register; the
captain’s name was Henderson. They were at Newitly about the 3d or
4th May, and then went to Knight’s Inlet to get ice, which they
found and took onboard as much as was wanted. Then came back to
Newitly, and fished the halibut at Newitly Bar. They caught all they
wanted for the first cargo in about three weeks. The fish taken were
from 50 to 200 pounds each (so I was told). That was the first trip
that they made.
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Should you require more information on the subject I should refer you
to Captain Douglas, of the schooner Triumph, of Victoria. He was the
one that piloted them to Knight’s Inlet, and also found hooks,
lines, bait, &c., and assisted them all the time they were
fishing. Captain Douglas told me that himself, and also said that if
he had not helped them they would have got no halibut. I have heard
from the Indians that the same schooner was at Newitly some time, I
think, in September, and got another cargo of halibut, but Captain
Douglas was not with them this last time, neither did they go to
Knight’s Inlet for ice. They seemed to have brought all that was
required with them the last time they came.
I am, &c.,
