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Charlottetown, Monday, May 1, 1871.

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DEBATES OF THE

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

(Continued from first page of this week s bx- amine) .)

_

Debate upon the Fishery Question. Hon, B. Davies.—The Ame:'- caus noi interfered with by Brit- ish Government for 30 years.

Tr\s, B. Daviss said that he did not state that the Americans had a right to fish within the three mile limit, but that they had a right to bring their fishing vessels into oar posts for the. purpose of trading, for the practice had been confirmed by the custome of years, and had not been interfered with till last August. Although the treaty of 1818 did not authorize

t, yet the custom of both Great Britaia and

the United States, had sanctioned the practice

many years past. "I'he Americans bad

<n twading in ovr ports during the last

t venty or thirty years, and had never been in-

rorfered with by the British Government. The

sestion was a very important and intricate

enety and thercfore “he would not be fn a posi-

tigh to give & clear opinion upon it uatil he 1ad perused the despatches more carefully.

lien. Mr. Brecken on the causes of the abrogation of Reciprocity Treaty.

Hon. Arrornsy Gexgrat.—The hon. methber for Belfast had pointed out to the members of the Jate Government, that tke American practice of transsbipping fish in our ports bad prevailed for.eome years, and therefore should not be disallowed. That Covernpment made a short minute of this, and referred it to the Crown Law Officers, who showed that the Americans bad no right to bring their fishing vessels into our ports, exc-pt for the purpose of procuring wood and water, and forshelter and repairing damages, Hon, E. Palmer's opinion diffsred very tittle ‘rom that given by the Crown Law officers. in consequence of the opinions of those officers, the then Government issued orders to their Oustom House Officers, not to allow Adierican fishing vessels to come iato our hafbors to trade and iransship their fish, and that the Treaty of 1818 should be enforced. That was the e@ourse pursued by the hon. mem ber for Belfast, and when he says that the Americans had the right to fish within our boundaries, be should remember that he countemanced the late Government in issuing thet order. Bat nm. twithstanding all that bad been said, he (Hom. Atty. General) be- lieved that no matter what Government was in éxistence at that time, it would bave bad to pursue the very sousse pursued by the late Government, in reference to this matter, By the manner ip whieh the boo, member ex- tulted the Americana, one would suppose that ail. the marrow minded policy was ou the sice of the British Colonies ; but that is not the facts What Government insisted on the abrogation of the Reviprocity Treaty? The United States. ‘There was not 4 man in the British Provinces that didnot go heart and hand for Reciprocity. When a distarbance took place in the Red River Territory, the \merican Government caused every possible »bstruction to prevent the passage of the British troops, and would not allow them to pass throggh their canal, when those troope were on their way to quell the disterbance. Cha: Deminion Government have all along beem the advocates of ires truce with the United States, while the latter have held yack and refused te favor it. He (Hon. ry he was ofopinion that the policy of American Government towarde these British Provinces was not based upon sound ommercial principles. The policy of that ‘joveronment was framed for the purpose of

averting the people of these Colonies nolens v/eug to Annexation. The people of Maire ond Massachasetts toa man, tell us that they want free trade, but the politicians of the Weatern States who kuow nothing about us, eclare that they want nothing of the kind ecause we are Britieh Coloniets. Look at the trade advantagee Great Britain gave to he United States in the repeal of her navi sation laws; bat these advantag-s are not reciprocated by the latter im one single in- stance. Why should we offer advantages to ose who off-r us nothing im return? Let va hold fast to our rights and havea little atience, and it will come all right before mg. “Ehére are other great questions which dees Ameriean Trade, and which will -sortly come up for the eonsideration of vein Government. The man of the Western tates has no means of transporting hie ) Toduce to the sea-board, and therefore will ant the navigation of the river St. Law- rence. When the Alabama claims are fully eottled, free trade wil! soon follow. Tet the ; 2ople of these Provinces show the Americans tiat that they are not prepared to barter pway their great privileges unless they re- ceive equal value in return. There is no doubt that if the people of these Colonies sot as every great commercial people acts, we sbal) have reciprocity with the United States, and it will not be at the expense of car loyalty, for we shall have all thoee ad rentages and the liberty of remaining i} citish subjects still. I. 0

jion. B. Davies cites opinion of Hon. BE. Palmer.

Hon. Lb. Days thought the Despatches

uid be allowed to lie for short time upon the table, in order that hon. members should have time tolookinteothem. He thoughi the e‘urts put forth last summer to prevent American Fishermen from landing fish and purcbasing supplies were unea!led for, and toat the conduct of Captain Hardinge was, in many respects, quite unjustifiable. If they were to obtain free trade with the United States it. would not be brought about by any puny attempts of the Dominion Goverament or themselves to foree the American Govern- wentintoit. Ifbe (Hon. B D.) understood the learned Attorney General correctly, he cast a reflection upon the late Government.

Hon. Atrouney Gangral,—Oh! No, no- thing of the kind.

Hon. 8B. Davies understood that the Ameri- oes, on the payment of the sams lice.se fee ae their own fishermen, were entitled to the

-wileges of fishing in their waters. The

ader of the Government at the time opened ap & communication with the Canadian Gov- ernment 10 ascertain the course which the Dominicn intenucd to adopt witb reepect to tho granting of lieexses, and was not lead to belieye in so far us he (Hon. B. D.) was aware, that there would be any other course pu-sued than that which had been adopted in former years. Nor did he think that Capt. Hordinge had authority for the course he took. The opinion of the Hon. Edward Palmer was obtained, and he said; “The only power given to seize and confiscate is in case there be found on board such veess! ary gc ods prohibited to be imported intogthis Is- land, aud to conetrue this Act as giving power to seize and confiscate a vesee! for the alleged breach in question, the same not being «- pr ssly authorized by the Act itself, and still iees by the provision of the convention, would in by Opinion be an unjustifiable assumption cf oower by the party who would attempt to

exercise it!’ And although the treaty of 1818 might be interpreted to justify what Captain Hardinge did, yet the long ccotinued practice had rendéred ite strict application a8 absolate, and they should not have been en- forced without due notice of each imtention having been first given.

Speech of Hon, G. W. Howlan, and remarks of Hon. Mr. Sin- clair.

Hon. Mr. Hows thought it rather singu lar to heat the hon. member giving utterance to Buch statements. The American }shermen were aware of the course intended te bs pur- sued, and had been duly info-med thereot by the American Government, as the following circular relating to Canadian inshore fisheries proved, an extract from which be would read

Taxasury Derantxsnt, Wasuinoton, June 9th, 1$7]. SIR;

In compliance with the request of the Secretary of the State, you are hereby author- ized and directed to inform all masters of fishing vessels at the time of clearance from your port, that theauthorities of the Dominion of Canada have terminated the system of granting fishing licenses to forcign veseecls under which they have heretofore been per- mitted to fish within the maritime jurisdiction of the said Dominion, that is to say, within three marine miles of the shores thereof ; and that all fishermen of the United S‘ates are prohibited from the use of such jashore fish. evies, except So far as stipulated in the first actiole of the Treaty of October 20. 1818, be- tween the Wnited States and Great Brnain, in virtue of which the fishermen of the Unir- ed States have, in common with the subjects of Her Britanie Majesty, the liberty to take fish of every kind on that part of the Southern coast of Newfoundland which extends from Cape Ray to the Ramean Islands on the Western and Northern coast of Newfcund- land, from the said Cape Ray to the Quimpin Islands, on the shores of the Mazdelen Is!ands, and also on the coasts, bays, harbors, and creeks, from Mount Joly, which was, whea the Treaty wae signed, on the Southern coast of Kabrador, to and through the Straits of Belle Isle, and thence northwardly indefisite- ly along the coast, without prejudice, how- ever to any exclusive rights of the Hudson's Ray Comyany; and have lsberty forever to dry and eure fish in any of the unsettled bays,

hurbors, and creeks of the southern. part. the coaet of Newfoundland, above deser '

and of the coast of Labrador, unless the same orany portion thereof, be eettled, in whieh ease it is not lawiul for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such portion so s-ttled, without previous agreement for such purpose with the inhabitants, proprietors, or possee- sors of the ground; aud also are admitted to eater other bays or harbors, fur the purpose ofshelter and of repairing damages therein, of purchasing wo..d, and of obtaining water, and for no other purpose whatever, subject tc such restrictions, as may be necessary to prevent their taking, drying, or curing fish therein, or in any other manner wha‘erer, abusing the privileges reserved to them as above expressed. Fishermen of the Ucited States are bcund to respect the British Laws nnd regulations for the regulation and presei- vation of ihe fisheries to ‘hs sam2 extent to which they are applicable to British or Cenadian fishermen.”’ (Signed) Geo. H. Bovr weit, Secretary of the Treasury.

So that it was quite clear that the American fishermen were not taken by surprise, but were made fully aware by their own Goy- ernment that the Treaty stipu'stions of 1818 would be enforced. In the first article of whieh he found the following :—* And the United States renounce for ever any liberty heretofore enjoyed or claimed by the inbabitanta thereof, to take, dry, or cure fish, on or within three mules of any of the coasts, bays, erecks, or harbors of His Britan‘c Majesty’s Uominions in America, not included within the above mentioned limits; provided, however, that the Americen fishermen sha!l be admitted to enter such bays or harbors, forthe purpose of shelter, and of repairing damages therein, of pur- chasing wood, and of obtaining water, and for no other purpose whatever. But they shall be under such restrictions as may be necessary to prevent their taking, drying, or curing fish therein or in any manuer wh:>t- ever abusing the privilege hereby reseryed to them,’ He would be a3 much pieased as any one to eee the Americans trading with their people and particiya‘ing in the advan- tages of our fisheries provided their Govern- ment gave an equivalent for thosa privileges. But so long as this Colony remained a de- pendency of the British Empire it was their duty to-give ready obedience to all tho just demands of the parent siata. And had the Government of thie acted otherwiee tian it did, it might have precipitated a state of affairs and events which he wae sure that Committee would not wish to see brought about,

Hoa. P. Srxcuatr admitted that the American fishermen had the notice giveu them which the hon, member mentioned, but thought they were not awfire that the trade restrictions were to have been énforecd in the way they bad. And thought the President of the United States had good reason fer say- ing that the course pursved by the Canadivn authorities towarde the fishermen of the Un't- ed States during the past year had not been marked with a frieadly feeling.

Hon. Mr. Hownan said the American fishermen knew what their duty was quite well. He (Hon Mr. Hi) hadbeen on boaid one of the American gunboats, the command- er of which had clearly satistied him that the American Government did not wish their fishermen to assume any privileges except those granied to them by Treaty, and be- lie ved also, that all the American fist:ermen were perfee:ly aware of the risk they would ran if they did so.

Hon. J. C. Pope.—This Island should not surrender Inshore fisheries

Hon. Lxapsa oF Tas Govyrunmest said’ whether they had notice or not, the Ameri- can people were sharp enough to know their own position, The Administrator of the Government had last summer a duty to per- form which, in commons with the hon. member for Balfast, who was also a sworn member of the Cabinet, he had to give attention to when Captain Hardinge, acting under Imper- ial authority drew bis attention to it. Whether that officer showed sharp practice or not in the case of Captain Marolial! and others, it wag clear that he had the Treaty and law on bis side, When American citizens came among tbem to do business, and were by the laws and customs of the oountry dealt kindly with, it was their duty strietl y to observe the laws of this country, and if they had suffered loss, they had none to blame but themeelyes. It those gentlemen were not satisfied with the laws of the Colony and wished to avoid the responsibility they im- posed they ehould have left the country. If Great Britain should have to pay the United States any claims on account of the Alabama dzpredations daring the late Civil War in the United States, she wae perfectly able to do so, nor should he (Hon. L. G@) even consent that for any such claims tha? this

Ialand should be called upon to surrender the privileges of iis inshore fisberies. He would rather pen a resolution to the effeot that our fisheriea should never be surrendered in lieu of any such claims. Et was 4 mistake to suppose that Reciprocity would be the re- gult of the eettlement of that question. Their duty was to hold on to their inshore |isheries which wae ihe only privilege left that had not clearly been wrested from them.

House resumed, when Committee reported progress. Adjourned until tem o’elock to- morrow. G,

Tuourspay, March 2od.

Privileges and Elections.

House in Conmmittee of Privileges and Elections, Further consideration of Pe- tition of Thomas W, Dood, Esq., and others, against the return of Hon. Daniel Davies,

Bon. Mr, Perry in the Chair.

Progress reported.

House adjourned until to-morrow at ten o’eloek, G,

Framay, March 3rd,

House in Committee of Privileges and Blections to take into consideration the petition of Jono Gaffney and others, «zairst the return of Mr, John A. McDonald asa Member of the House fur the Third Kiec- toral District of Prince County.

Hon. Mr. Perry in the Chair.

After some time spent in Committee, the Spcaker took the Chair, and the Chairman reported that the Committee had come to two Resolutions, whieh were again severa!- ly read and agreed to, and are as follow :—

1. The Committee of the whole Hose on Privileges and Elections having under their cons deration the petition of John Gaff ey, Esq, and others, Electors of the Third Electoral District of Prince County, complaining of the undue return of Joba A. McDonald, Esq., as one of the Mem- bers for the said District, after hearing learned counsel for the petitiosing candi- date and the sitting member, are of opinicn that the said Joho A. McDonald is en- tithe to retain his seat, as a Member for the said Third Electoral District of Priuee

County. Therefore Resorvev, That the irfegtierttics set forih to the petition of the

said John Gaffney are not, in the opinion of this Committee sufficient to warrant this Ilouse ia grauting the prayer of his said petition,

2. Rescivep, That it is the opinion of this Commitiee. that the petition of John Guffaey, E.g., a candidate at the late Election for tha Third Electoral District of Prince Coutty, against the return of dobn A. McDouald, Esq.,. is: neither frivolous nor vexatious-

The Thirteenth Standing Role of the House was suspended to a'low the intro- duction of a Bill. The Hon Attorney General presented a Bill to ameud the Act relating to the terms of avd proc-edings ia the Supreme Court of this Island.

Received and read a first time.

She Tenth Rale of the House was then suspened, and the B.ll was read a seeond time, aud ordered to be commi'ted to a Committee of the whole Howse at the afer- nooo sitting.

louse adjonrned for one hour.

I. 0.

Several Bills having been read a third time and sent up to the Legislative Council, the House went into Committee on the message of Eis Honor the Lieut,Governor ac- company ing the Despatches on the Fisheries,

Mr A. C. McDonald im the Chair.

Fishery Debate continued, Speeck of Hon. B Davies,

Hon B. Davies said when the Question was under consideration a few evenings before, be had asked for time to give the Despatches a moie careful perusal, to which request the Hon.-Leader of the Government was kind enough to accede. He had looked over those Despatches, but wes not certain that all which bad taken placo last summer was corréctly detailed there. He (Hon. B. D,) considered that Captain Hardirge had assumed an authority to which he was not entitled, and which it was not that officers duty to assome. fe would admit that it was his duty to prevent foreigners from encroaching upon their fisherics, and fully agreed with the Hon. the Leader of the Government that it was the duty of ibe Administrator end Government to give respectful consideration to any = rc- presentations which might be made there- to by any Br.tish commander entrusted with the duty of protee ing those mghts But when that officer entered the hartor of Charlottetown, boarding Colonial vessels er- gaged in trading severa' of which he d:- tained in custody, interfering with the pablie officers, acting under the authority of the Government cf this Colony, he felt that be bad cxceeded both his duty and instractions, and that he insslted our officers and Gov- e.nment by sich actions, He (ton, Mr. D.) felt desirous of knowing if there was anything in the Despatches which justified gach conduct, and was glad that there was not. The officers of Her Majesty’s Offices of Customs and Excise had, alone, a right to recaive the papers of ships entering their ports, to permit the lacding of their cargoes, and granting them their clearances, But when Capt. ilardinge came into-that harbor, boarded vestels, examined their papers, and endeavored to enterfere with the Collector of Customs in Charlottetown in his office, he certainly exceeded bis duty and authority, and Mr. Clark des::ved the thanks of that hon, Committee for te'ling Capt. Hardinge that he was not a subordinate of bis, nor had been placed under his jurisdiction. Mr, Clark’s public epirit was such as they shou'd feel proud of. Lt was true that ia one sense the Government was bound ac~ cording to Treaty to prevent American vessels from landing their cargoes of fish, yet us such had been allowed for so long a time, he believed tbat they were not

nerally aware that a custom whieh had ee so long in practice was then to be pro~ hibited ;- but Capt. Hardinge and the Cana- dian po'icy ruied the Colony, Capt. Hardinge not having any mode whereby he could display authority had recourse to the extraordinary method of prohibiting Ameri- can fishermen from landing their cargo of fish and thereby preventing them from being sbipped in bond to. the United Siates, The Government, as it was its duty, had to bring the matter to the novice of Her Mijesty’s

——————_—_- Cabinet, which immediately ordered the restrictions to be removed, which proved most conclusively that Capt, Hardinge bad no authority for interfering to the extent be did. Why,. gentlemep in the country had no idea of what waa being done in the Port of Charlottetown, when an officer of Her Majesty’s Navy voluntarily acted es Harbor. police for that port. He (Hon. B. Davies) felt that that cflicer was Jowering himself in the opinion of all intelligent men to such av extent that he (lion B. D.) felt ashamed of himself as an officer of the Gov- ernment of which be was a member, But felt proud to think the British Government bad directly rebuked such condmot, and the Despatch before them shewed bim (Hon. B. D.) that the course which the Goy- ernment then pursued was wise, and as a native of the country, he was gisd their policy had been approved of by the Im perial Authorities. The Admiralty, he felt certain, never inteaded that one of their officers should act as Capt. Hardiage had done, who seemed to think that the duties he had to discharge in connection with the protection of the Fisheries in the Gulf of S’. Lawrence was wholly oonfixed to the waiers between the entraxce and head of the Hillsborcugh. Such, however, was not the pace which he was commission @] te protect or guard, but on the outside shores of the Gulf, to see that no infractions were made upon the stipulations of the Tieaty, in the taking of fish within the three miles limit. The7 all knew there was a d spute respecting the interpretation of the three line Jimit, but no American vesse!s had ever attempted to fish inthe Hillsborough. Her Nujesty’s Government, however, had not hitherto placed muvb value apon the fish- eries of the Gulf, and as it bad allowed P, K. Island to be deprived of ita Public Lands, Quit Rents, and Fishery Reserves, w did not ceem to him probable that Her Mujesty’s Commissioners then sitting in Washington would put a greater value upon their Fisheries than the Home Gov- ernment had upon the other peblic rights of this Colony, There was another matter to which he wished to refer. He (Hon, B. D.) had beer ealled an Anocxationist which was not correct; he was free to ad. mit that he appreved of Republican senti- wenta, but that was quite differeat from being an Annexationis’, The Kepublican Karty in England was the Liberal Party. (No. No.) While hon members mizht say no, he (Hon. B, BD.) would maintain that what he said was quite constitutional. [f the Republican, Liberal, or Democratic Party formed a majority in the Imperial Parliament it would become the governing power, in the same way as the Tories or Whigs did. There was no prohibition to any party under the British Constitution in attaining to power, On the contrary it was cons.dered one cf its strongest Bulwarks agairst the oppressions of revolutionists. While be advoeated Republican principles bé felt that he was perfestly right as a Briti-h subject in doing so. Her Majesty did not care what the opisions of any party were. 80 loug as they did nct infringe upon the rights of the Crown or the Constitution, which thoso entertaining his sentiments never tid. Hebelieved that those principles were better carried out in Exsg'!and than they were in the United States; and offered those remarks lest his views might be mis- uederstood, or that people might think he was in favor of Annexation when he was not, nor should his views be so waderstood.

Speech ot R. Munro, Esq.

Mr.. Munro said the question before them was one which might easily be made to produce a great deal of discussion aud a vast variety of opinions as was obvious from the expressions of views entertained thereon. - He believed when Her Majesty’s Government in Great Britain sent out these gun boats to those waters it had but one object in view and that was the protec. tion cf Imperial rights and interes’s in con- nection with their fi heries. The Americans had no right to fish within three miles; but there seemed te be a dispute as to where that line chould be drawn; one party con- tending that it should follow the shore, the other that it should be from one headland to the other. but that was a matter they were called apon to eonsider. There ap- peared to be one doubt surrounding the proceedings of Jast year, which bad not been explained, and that was, from what quarter came the order to impose the restric- tions which were enfored in connection with this question? Was the commend received from the Dcminion, or Koglaud? He be- lieved each bon. gentleman on that Com- mittee fully agreed with the spirit of the re- solation submitted, yet it was equally true thet nine-‘eoths of the population of the Ie- land regretted that those restrictions bad been put on at all, For a number of years the Americans had been in the habit of landing their fish for re-shipment and alco of purchasing supplies of various kinds not that they were mot aware thut euch might be prohibited if the stipulations of the Treaty bad been eoforeed. But a8 those had been put a stop to so suddenly as was the case ast summer, itled a great many to regard the procedure as a great hardship and to believe that more ample notices ought to have been given, especially 9s it seemed to interfere wih the trade of the Colony. Those fishermen freqnent!y purchased from their farmers and others articles they re quired, such as barrels, potatoes, eggs, butter, &e., and while he (Mr. Munro) rc- gretted the course that had been adopted, still be believed that as British subjects, while it was their privilege and happiness to live under the protection of that greet flag (applause) it was their duty to render all due obedience to the Lmperial commands, And therefore if that demand came from theece he wou'd give the late Government eredit for the course it pursued esit would have been disloyal to have acted otherwise, Whileeuch were his sentiments, yet he was much gratilied, and pleased that those restrictions bad been taken off, and their trade allowed to go forward in the smooth and pleasant course it had before those eycnts occurred. While the British

~ Government could easily keep the Ameri~ can fishermen outside the three mile I:mit, he was afraid that the procedures adopted last.year would only have the effect ofste- tarding a renewal of Reciprocity which was a measure of great coma.ericial importance. While upon the whole the abrogation of that

ASN 7 -

Treaty had not injured the Colony to any

material extent, yet if it was renewed it would benefit many, especially smal! traders, while it might perhaps tend to some extent ta republicanize their people somewhat every year. Sinee that Treaty had been repealed their oats had brought higher prices than they did before, and he did not know but they were as well off as if it had pot been repealed. The farmers had learned wisdom by it, and fed their produce to their stock, which was of more advantage to them than selling off their grain? potatoes. &e. It had been said that Queen’s and Prinoe Counties were more prosperous than King’e County. The reason was obvicus. Queen’s and Prince Counties had always better facilities for the shipment of produce than King’s, and the result was seen in their more advanced condition. It might be said that King’s County had steam com- munication with Nova Scotia, which was true, But that was not in the line of trade that was of most advantage to them. If, however, the railway should be built King’s County would then be able to ship direct from Summerside, which is in easy reach of the best markets within reach of the people ai large of this Island, (applause.)

Hon. D. Davies Disposed to let Americans fish in our waters

{lon. D, Davirs would endeavor to con- fine bis remarks to the despatch, and would not hesitate to say that be thought also that the British commander to whom reference had been made, iad exceeded bis authority, when he would not allow fish to pass through in boad to the United States, He consider- ed it a hardehip at the time, and thought so still. Why should not fish have been allowed to pass through as well as goods ? Such a procedure was not only injurious to the merchants, and those engaged im the fisheries, but carried on its face a hardship which there was good reason to cowplain about. He (Hon. D. D.) did not know that the deep sea fisheries could ever be profitably carried oh by the people of this Teland, as vessels owned here could only be employed a part of the years The most profitable fishing was that which was car- ried on in small boate, Nor did he think the fisheries would ever be very generally or successfully carried on in this Psland un- til the lands were all taken up and improved. For his part, he felt disyosed.to let the Americans make the best use of the fisheries they could, Their fishermen spent money aisong the farmers and traders of the couv- try. Meantime, be locked forward to soon seeiug all such matters being placed in that pleasant position they had hitherto been ia.

Hon, E. McKachen defends action

of Capt. Hardinge.

flon. Mr. McEacnen thought Captain Bardinge bad been rather severely dealt with by some bon, gentlemen, That officer bad simply pointed out some of the pro- visione of the Treaty of 1818, which were being disregarded by American citizens, and His Honor the Administrator of the Gov ernment and bis advisers, consulted with the Crown Law Officers respecting those infractions, and those gentlemen said that the charges preferred by that offlcer were correct; and, as a convincing proof of the correetness of that opinion, it was found that the Government had no power to inter- fere in the matter, until it had been submit- ted to the Imperial Government for its direction thereon, Of eourse, until an answer was received, the British Commend. er here, who had been commissioned to those waters to look after those matters, had to retain in his own hand their manage- ment until the pleasure of the British Government was known, Therefore he thougkt-it wrong to censure that officer when heonly did his duty.

Hon. P. Sinclair on bringing down portions of Despatches.

Hon P, Suxcrain said that, while he had no objection to the Resolution, yet he thought it was not fair to bring down extracts from a Despatch, and ask that hon. Committee to give a reply thereto. He could not look upon them other than as garbled ex- tracts. ‘The Despatch from which they had been taken was obviously an important one, yet it was quite clear that that part of it which bore directly upon the real question bad been withheld. He did not see why the Government had done so, for be did not believe that any despatches came out, a part of which was public, and the remainder private; aud therefore he believed, when ihe Government brought a part ot that one down, they should have brought the whole of it; not doing so was. in bis tiew of the matter, taking an undue advantage of the opposition. With respect to the informa- tion asked by ibe hon. om mber for George- town, (Mr. Munro) he might say that the orders received originated with the De- minion Goverument, but came to’ them through the Impe:ial authorities. When so brought to the notice of the Government, it had to put an immediate sop to the practices complained of, or pat up with the consequences which might ensue. He would reiterate bis statowent by saying, he thought it wrong for the Leader of the Government to put the House intoa Com- mitice of the whole, to ask our answer to portions of any despatch. He never heard or saw the | ike before.

Reply of Hon. J. C,. Pope.

Hon. Leaver or tue Gvennuent was surprised at tke statements of the hon. viember for New London, who knew q tite well that although but a partof a despatch bad been submitted, yet the extracts were not gerbied| All that was really necessary to produce had been submitted, It was more than the Lieutenant Governor dared, to have allowed more to have been sent down, without leave from the British Gov- ernment. There was a Commission thea sitting in Washington, and the reason why the opinion of that hon. Committe was sought at that particular time was, that un expression of the opinion of the represents- tives of the people of this Islaud might be bad.on the matter submitted, in crder that it might be laid befora the Commission as early as possible, Canada and Nova Scotia had agreed to s:rong Kesolutions,on the subject, and it was important that they shou!d express an opizion also. He thought he would have to regard the hon, member for Belfast as the Leader of the opposition,

eee SSS for he came to the forefront of the conflict without hesitation, while the boa. member for New London kept quiet, and whea" bis bon. friend had well opened up the Bali; be got up, and canny Scotchman-like, delivered a shrewd speech. (Laughter.) Whemthe hon member for Bel"ast seid that Captain Hardinge attempted to interfere with the Collector of Customs, in his office; he, (Hon. Lesder of the Government) thought the hon, member must have been misinformed. The Custom House officer had a right to probibit any interference with. him in the duties of his office, and it he,4Hon. Leader of the Gov’t) was an officer of the Goverament, and Captain Hardioge came to isterfere with him im the discbargs of his duties, he would very soon tell him that he knew nothing abcut him, and that»he was Ouly answerable for his conduct to the Goverament from which he bad received bis appointment, But when an officer comes to this Island, commissioned by the Britieh Government to enforce the observance of Treaties, and observed that some of its pro- visions were violated, any aasistance 0; in- formation asked for by that officer to aid bim in the discharge of his duty had to be given, but he had no right to snterfere with avy officer of the Colonial Goveonment, or in the least to presume to exercise authority over him, When Her Majesty’s Govern- ment received the ioformation commapicst- ed, the prohibition was removed, and as the Resolution merely spproved the policy pur- sucd by the late Government, he thought it should pass unanimcusly. If free trade was to be obtaived, it would not be by yielding up such a valuable source of wealth as their fisheries, unless an eqs’ valent equa) in value, was received in return. There fish- eries Were the mos: valuable in America, —he had almost said in the world—and they should not consent to their surrender for any claims which the United States Government might prefer against Great Britaia. G.

Faripay, Mareh 3.

Hon. Mr. Duncan in favor of re- taining Inshore Fisheries.

Hon, Mr. Dunost,—Mr, Chairman, I epprove of the Resolution as amended, and 1 cheerfu'ly express my opinion, that no fault can be fousd with the late Govern ment for their action last summer, They could do no more than they did, and it would bave b-eo bad policy indeed if they had at- temptec to interfere with officers of the Im- perial Government, acting under the orders of that Goveroment hile I admit as frankly as any hoo. member, that our tradé with the United States, as carried on, was of great benefit to the people of the Island, I am by no means desirous to have a one- sided free trade. 1 hope we shall retaia our inshsre fisheries; they are all that is left tous as a people, and | have no idea of giving them up, and getting» nothing in return, Last summer Captain Hardi of B. M. 8. “ Valorous,” acted under in- structions from the Vice Admiral of the Station, and perhaps, in some cases, put a a too stringent constrection upon his orders, bat it is hard to blame bim as severely as Has been done. [am onot sure that I would object to Government fitting outa cutter, or admitting those of the Dominion to our waters for the protection of our inshore fisheries. Such a course would, at least, manifest a disposition on our part to do something towards the preservation of our rights, I second the resolution, as amend- od, ;

Hon. Bea} Davies.—Despatches should be furnished entire, un- less for the protection of British mterests.

Hon. B. Davirs,—As to the reference’ made by the Hon, Leader of the Govera- ment, to the expression used by the hon. member from New London (Hon Mr. Sinolair) about ** despatches’ he only meant to gay that, sot the whole doou- ment, but only extracte from it had beew sent down. He did not intend te convey the idea that the extracts had been “ led’; and I contend that the whole des- patch might materially modify the meacing to be gleaned fiom the portions of it which alone are before us. It is the duty of the Government to submit to the House all des- patehes reesived from the Imperial Govern- ment, and 1 cannot conceive that the despatoh referred to is of so private and confidential a nature as to justify the Gov- ernwent io witholding any. pert of it, [ admit, that if the parts withheld from the House, have refereace te the International Commission sicting at Washington, it might be necessary for the protection of British: interests that they should not be made pub-

lic, -

Speech of E. Reilly, Esq.

Mr, Rettty.—lt is to be assumed, Mr, Ohairman,.that we are all actuated by a de- sire to promote the best interests of the country, and it is but natura) that difference of opinion should exist as to the best¢mode of doing so, The resolution, as originally iatroduced is, in my opinion, calculated to do moro barm thao good, and I shal feel it my duty tc oppose it, if it be not amended, After the convention of 1818, Americans were allowed the privilege of entering our ports, and landing and transshipping their tish. . That privilege was taken away last year. 1 think thet if we take tolerably nigh ground on this question, we will be likely to strengthen the hands of the Com- missioners at Washington. Lf the probibi- tory clauses of the Convention had not been cnlorced last year, the subject would not have been referred to in the Message of ise President of the United States to Congress, nor would there have been any Correspondence ov the subject be- tween the American and British Govern- mente. True, we are a small population, but if we maofully assert our rights, more numbers will not prevent our obtaining them. In the preparation of the Conyen- tion of L814, the British Government was owtwitted through ignorasce of the value of the Galf fisheries. Had that been koown, American fishermen would have been excluded from our waters. The syctem of licensing American fishing vessels, realized bat littie to the Treasury of the Island, The Awericans fished where they plessed, and in one year the license fees paid here amcnted to no more thao £4. We know