No. 177.
Mr. Pahenham to Mr. Fish.
Washington, November 14,
1871. (Received November 15.)
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of
a letter from an American merchant residing at Charlottetown, Prince
Edward Island, to the lieutenant governor of that colony, as also a
copy of the governor’s reply, and from which it will be seen that
Mr. Hall entertains doubts as to whether the refusal of Canada to
assent to the provisional arrangement proposed by the United States,
and assented to by the legislature of that colony, may not work
adversely to the interests of those persons in Prince Edward Island
who have this year made large investments in the fishery business,
in the expectation of receiving back the duties collected in the
United States on fish-oil and fish exported from that island into
the United States during the present fishing season. Application has
been made to Earl Granville, by the colonial office, on this
subject, and I have been directed to endeavor to ascertain whether
the proposal will be made to Congress on its meeting to refund those
duties as regards Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
[Page 216]
I should feel obliged if you would cause me to be early informed on
the subject, so that I may forward the reply of the United States
Government to Earl Granville with as little delay as possible.
I have, &c,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Hall to
Lieutenant-Governor Robinson.
Charlottetown, P. E. I.,
September 26, 1871.
Sir: After the action of your
government giving effect to the treaty of Washington, so far as
the fisheries are concerned, admitting fish from the United
States as bait or otherwise free of duty into this colony, and
giving to United States fishing-vessels free access to the
shore-fisheries around this island, those persons here who are
engaged in the fishing business had supposed that their right,
on the meeting of Congress, to receive back the duties paid on
all fish and fish-oils exported by them to the United States
since the 1st day of July-could not be questioned.
Recent reports from the United States would, however, lead to the
belief that the refusal of the Dominion of Canada to give effect
to the treaty of Washington may work adversely to the interests
of this island, and prejudice her claims to such return of
duties.
As your honor is probably aware, large investments have this year
been made in the fishing business, based upon the expectation of
receiving the benefit of this treaty, and a heavy loss to this
island must result if the duties are not returned.
I would, therefore, esteem it as a great favor if your honor can
give me any information bearing upon this subject.
I have, &c,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Robinson
to Mr. Hall.
Government House,
September 29, 1871.
Sir: I am directed by the
lieutenant-governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 26th instant, on the subject of the treaty of
Washington.
- 2.
- The Government of the United States requested Her
Majesty’s government to urge the governments of Canada,
Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island to make for the
present season, within their respective jurisdictions, such
relaxations and regulations as it might be in their power to
adopt, with a view to the provisional admission of American
fishermen to the liberty which is proposed to be secured to
them by the treaty of Washington, the Government of the
United States in return to recommend and urge upon Congress
at their next session to refund to the parties paying the
same any duties collected in the United States on or after
the 1st July, on fish-oil and fish, (with certain
exceptions,) the produce of the fisheries of the above
colonies, respectively, if a similar arrangement should be
made with respect to the admission into the colonies as
aforesaid of fish-oil and fish, (with like exceptions,)
being the produce of the fisheries of the United
States.
- 3.
- Prince Edward Island assented to the proposed arrangement;
Canada did not assent to it; and you are apprehensive that
such refusal on the part of Canada may work adversely to the
interests of those persons in Prince Edward Island who have
this year made large investments, in the expectations of
receiving back the duties paid by them on fish-oil and fish
exported from this island into the United States during the
present fishing season.
- 4.
- The lieutenant-governor is of opinion that your
apprehensions are unfounded. An arrangement sanctioned by
Her Majesty’s government has been entered into between the
Government of the United. States and Prince Edward Island,
and the lieutenant-governor does not apprehend that the
action of Canada in withholding her assent from a similar
arrangement will be attended with the prejudicial result
which you have recently been led to anticipate.
I have, &c,
KILDARE C. ROBINSON,
Private
Secretary.
