Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 3, 1888, Part I
No. 590.
Mr. Herbert to Mr. Bayard.
Sir: At the desire of Her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of Mr. Justice Prowse’s report on certain alleged breaches, of the Newfoundland bait act by American fisherman.
I have, etc.,
(In the absence of Sir Lionel West.)
Colonial office to foreign office.
Sir: With reference to your letter of the 13th instant, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Salisbury, for such action as his lordship may think proper, a copy of a dispatch from the governor of Newfoundland, inclosing a report by Mr. Justice Prowse relative to breaches of the bait act by certain American fishermen.
Lord Knutsford proposes to approve the course taken by Governor Blake in this matter.
I am, etc.,
Governor Blake to Lord Knutsford.
Newfoundland, May 28, 1888.
My Lord: With reference to my dispatch, confidential, of the 16th instant, I have the honor to inform your lordship that a difference having arisen between Mr. Prowse and the Government as to the amount of his remuneration, he has withdrawn from the position assigned to him in the preventive service under the bait act, and his position has been accepted by Commander Robinson, R. N., port officer, in whose discretion I place very great confidence.
Commander Robinson is to proceed on Wednesday or Thursday next, when the Lady Glover comes off the dock. He will receive instructions to exercise the utmost care to avoid any unnecessary friction with foreigners in carrying out his duties.
I inclose a report written by Mr. Prowse, stating that certain breaches of the law had taken place, and detailing the steps taken by him; among others, the order to Mr. Sullivan to prosecute the master and crew of an American schooner.
I had been informed of this on the 22d, and wrote at once to the attorney-general requesting him to telegraph instructions to Mr. Sullivan to suspend action until further orders, as I wished the matter to be considered in council next day.
On the 23d I brought the subject before the executive council, and found a strong inclination to exact the punishment under the provisions of the law. I pointed out that, putting aside the possibility of any question arising, and accepting the legal right of this colony to impose and recover the penalty, it was not advisable just now to give to American politicians adverse to the treaty grounds, however slight, for the working up of public feeling against its acceptance, and suggested that this Government might secure the co-operation of the United States Government in preventing breaches of the act by a more conciliatory policy, and, at the same time, take more effective means to prevent the American fishing schooners from obtaining in future more bait than was necessary for their own use.
To this, after some discussion, the council agreed, with one dissentient, and orders were given that the proceedings should go no further than taking the evidence in the case, which will be forwarded to your lordship.
I would beg to draw your lordship’s attention to the statement made by Mr. Prowse that the principal instigator of the breaches of our local law is the United States consul at St. Pierre. My Government earnestly hope that your lordship may be able to induce the Government of the United States to instruct their consul at St. Pierre to abstain from such unfriendly action towards this colony. The fishermen of the United States have experienced no difficulty whatever in obtaining their bait, and are treated with the greatest consideration. Any further attempt, however, to evade our bait act and to trade in herrings with the French under the plea of their fishing privilege will be bitterly resented here, and may lead to undesirable complications.
I have, etc.,
Mr. Prowse to Mr. Fenelon.
Sir: For the information of his excellency the governor in council, I have the honor to make the following report respecting American fishery and the bait protection service.
[Page 816]We met the first American schooner at Harbor Breton, on the 29th March; her master, Greenleaf, was halibut fishing, and he wanted to get twenty-five barrels of herring for bait to complete his voyage. Although the protocol of the Washington treaty was not in force, I gave him permission to get the bait required.
When the American fishing vessels began to arrive in Fortune Bay, and I had received definite instructions to grant license under the protocol, I explained the law and operation of the protocol to them. Many of their vessels being large, I did not restrict them to the limits of the local law, 65 barrels of bait for each schooner, but gave them to the extent of 10 barrels per dory, and even more if necessary. I examined each master on oath as to his vessel being a bona-fide banker, and each declared that the bait he received was solely for the use of his vessel in the catching of codfish, and he swore not to export same to St. Pierre nor elsewhere.
I believed from former experience in dealing with American masters that they would act honorably. I did not consider it necessary or desirable to follow the vessels about; I did not for a moment believe that the masters would perjure themselves and sell their bait at St. Pierre. I knew that they had received orders from their owners to obey the Newfoundland laws, etc., and I judged, from the American masters I had met with, they would not act so dishonorably, and there was no fear of their carrying bait to the French in defiance of our laws. In all ways that lay in my power I was extremely courteous to the Americans. About the 4th May I heard rumors that American bankers had been selling their bait in St. Pierre, but there were so many lying statements going about the bay that I thought it was only another idle rumor concocted in St. Pierre. On Saturday, the 5th May, Thomas Farrell, of St. Jacques, and Andrew Heckey, of Bay du Nord, came aboard the Lady Glover off Brunette. From them I obtained the following statement on oath: That they knew that the American schooners Ambrose H. Knight, John William Bray, Ellen U. Adams, J. W. Campbell, and Monitor, sold in St. Peters to the French herrings obtained in Fortune Bay; they also believed that the American schooner Daniel Morey sold some of her bait. All the masters of these vessels had been sworn, and all declared on oath that the bait they required under their licenses was solely for the use of their crews in catching codfish on the banks, and they would not export any of said bait to St. Peters or elsewhere or permit any of their crew to” do so. After getting the statement I went at once to the hauling-places at the head of the bay and dispatched Mr. Hubert, J. P., in the Greyhound, to ascertain what amount of bait each of these vessels had obtained. He obtained clear evidence that the first-named American schooner, Ambrose H. Knight, had obtained twenty dory-loads of herring under the pretense that he was going to the Magdalen Islands and that he wanted a large quantity to toll (or entice) the fish. The seine-master, Williams, has been bound to appear. The rest of the vessels named were chiefly baited by servants of Burkes, of St. Jacques, who have been our principal opponents in the bay, and in each case a larger quantity than required was fraudulently given them. All these vessels will have to return to Fortune Bay for a second baiting, and I have deferred proceeding against the seine-masters until all the facts could be brought out on trial.
I am aware that these unlawful acts were done by the American masters and their crews in direct defiance of their owners’ distinct orders to obey the laws of Newfoundland, and in the case of the J. W. Campbell, now in the bay, and who has been probably caught by Mr. Hubert and the subinspector to-day, my instructions are to fine the master and crew if duly convicted, but not to imprison them, and to do nothing to either the vessel or cargo.
The masters of these delinquent vessels were mostly Cape Breton men, and not native-born American masters. The other American captains condemned their conduct in most emphatic terms. Of course, after this occurrence, I used extra precautions, bound each seine-master not to deliver to any vessel more than 10 barrels per dory, and overhauled each ship leaving the bay to see that she had only her authorized quantity of bait; and I explained to the masters why I was, unfortunately, obliged to adopt this extreme precaution. We all felt extremely annoyed at the rascally conduct of these five masters. I believe the American consul at St. Pierre, who is an extreme opponent of our Government in this measure, gave the American masters bad advice, and did all in his power to induce the Americans to take the French side on this question, and I had continually to fight against his influence.
All the intelligent Americans agreed that our Government had always treated them most liberally, and that it was directly against their best interests to violate our laws and aid the French. The parties who have been loudest in condemning this occurrence have been the chief persons to sell the Americans extra bait.
In conclusion, the whole amount of herring sold by the Americans in St. Pierre did not amount to 300 barrels herring, so far as I could ascertain with certainty; and out of over thirty masters five only have been guilty of dishonorable conduct.
I have, etc.,
Foreign office to colonial office.
Sir: In reply to your letter of the 29th instant, I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to convey to you his concurrence in the dispatch to the governor of Newfoundland respecting the limit of French fishery rights on the west coast of that island, of which a draught was therein inclosed.
I am, etc.,
Colonial office to foreign office.
Sir: With reference to previous correspondence, I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before the Marquis of Salisbury, a copy of a dispatch from the governor of Newfoundland respecting the enforcement of the bait act.
I am to request that you will draw his lordship’s special attention to the draught terms of an arrangement with the French suggested by Judge Prowse, and to observe that, although the proposed agreement does not cover more than a part of the question at issue, it may deserve consideration whether its adoption would not be advantageous as far as it goes, and Lord Knutsford would be glad to be furnished with any observations Lord Salisbury may have to make on the principles on which it is based.
I am to add that Lord Knutsford proposes to approve of the course taken by the governor with regard to Mr. Prowse’s proceedings.
I am, etc.,
Governor Blake to Lord Knutsford.
Newfoundland, May 16, 1888.
My Lord: With reference to your lordship’s dispatch, confidential, of the 25th April, I have the honor to inform your lordship that no instructions were given to Judge Prowse, the officer charged with the enforcement of the bait act, beyond the letter a copy of which I inclose.
The first information that I received of steamers being hired and a force placed on board for the enforcement of the act was from Judge Prowse, who called upon me immediately before his sailing. This was previous to the arrangement made by my ministers on my remonstrance, as detailed in my dispatch, confidential, of the 6th April.
Before he set out, I now learn that the attorney-general had advised him to secure, if possible, the services of an agent at St. Pierre, who would give him private information as to breaches of the bait act by the fishermen of Fortune Bay. Mr. Prowse evidently interpreted the advice of the attorney-general in a wider sense than was intended, for early last week he telegraphed to the attorney-general that the French governor would consent to our having an agent at St. Pierre, and that the services of Mr. Sheehan, a native of Newfoundland, long resident in St. Pierae, could be secured for $100 per month. This was followed by a statement that the French were prepared to make an arrangement about the bait bill that would cover the treaty shore difficulty. The attorney-general informed me of this, and by my desire he telegraphed to Mr. Prowse to confine himself to his duties of preventing the export of bait.
A further telegram was received from him by Sir R. Thorburn, stating that the governor of St. Pierre had telegraphed to M. des Isles, the French consul (who, though not acknowledged officially, practically performs here his duty as consul), requesting him to approach this Government, and Mr. Prowse requested that no answer should be given to M. des Isles until his return in the Lady Glover, which [Page 818] was coming here for repairs. As I felt that much mischief might arise from unauthorized attempts at an arrangement by a public officer in Mr. Prowse’s position, I directed that he should be telegraphed to again, in the strongest terms, informing him that if he did not confine himself to his duties I should recall him. Sir Robert Thorhurn showed me a private letter from him stating terms of arrangement that would not be accepted by this Government.
On Sunday, the 13th, Mr. Prowse returned, and I received from him the letter and “draught of terms,” copies of which I inclose. On Monday Mr. Prowse called upon me, when I told him that I entirely disapproved of his conduct in having ventured to approach the matter without authority, and that I should hear from him before the executive council in the afternoon what explanation he had to offer. He then told me that he had never approached the French authorities further than by trying to procure an agent at St. Pierre, and that the “draught of terms” was simply his own views of what terms might he obtained, written without communication with any person. He repeated this before the council in the afternoon, when he was closely questioned as to his proceedings. His statement was that the French merchants of St. Pierre are in great straits for bait, that their first bank fishery is completely lost, and that they are now sending ships to St. George’s Bay and the Magdalen Islands to look for bait. He was asked how he knew that the governor of St. Pierre had telegraphed to M. des Isles, and he answered that he had heard it from Mr. Sheehan.
While the members of the executive council felt that Mr. Prowse’s action had been unguarded in discussing even with Mr. Sheehan possible terms that would not be accepted here, and that might, if communicated to the French authorities, seriously mislead them as to what would satisfy Newfoundland, he had, on the whole, performed the difficult duty in connection with the bait act very well, and it was decided that he should return, receiving careful instructions for his guidance.
That some communication between the French governor and Mr. Prowse had taken place seemed likely, from Mr. Prowse’s knowledge of the telegram sent to M. des Isles by the governor; and certain passages in Mr. Prowse’s letter and the “draught of terms” would seem to indicate something more of an attempt at effecting an agreement than the mere jotting down of his own ideas for submission to the government.
M. des Isles is a very shrewd and wary agent, and I feel certain that he would not come to me with any proposition from the governor of St. Pierre, but would confine himself to sounding me indirectly, to see if Mr. Prowse had any authority from this Government, or if the suggestions “made would be likely to be accepted here. M. des Isles called upon me to-day, ostensibly for the purpose of returning a book, and we had a long and desultory conversation. He approached the subject of the fisheries cautiously, but acknowledged that the bank fishing had been bad so far, which he attributed to bad weather. He made no proposal of any kind to me, nor did he mention the French governor beyond a statement that he was hampered in St. Pierre by a local legislature, but in the course of conversation we exchanged views to a certain extent. He regretted the difficulty with Fortune Bay. I said I should be heartily glad to see the whole difficulty settled; but no arrangement seemed possible, as the consent of this Government was necessary, and this Government would not listen to any arrangement that did not include the reduction of bounties.
He said the French Government would not touch the question of bounties, which were considered necessary.
I answered that I was under the impression that the French Government had modified the sugar bounties. We spoke about the armateurs and I observed that, as regards the armateurs, if the increased expense of his fishing in consequence of bait difficulties here amounts to 3s. or 4s. per quintal, he would be in the same position if bounties were reduced to that extent, and he could obtain his bait as heretofore. This would apply to the metropolitan armateur; but the question is more serious for the St. Pierre merchants, as the stoppage of their trade as middle-men between the bait sellers and metropolitan armateurs meant ruin. He acknowledged this. I said that if the price of fish were raised by 4s. a quintal by the operation of the bait act it would realize £300,000 for this colony, and it could not be expected that a government of merchants would consent to giving away such an advantage without equivalent. He said that the fisherman of Fortune Bay were losing £50,000 a year. I acknowledged this, but said that probably a regular trade in properly barreled herring would spring up there which would pay the fisherman much better than selling the herring for bait. He said he did not see any difficulty in effecting an arrangement, outside the bait, so far as the shore was concerned. I answered that I did not see how difficulties ought to arise, as it is palpable that the shore fishery is failing; and, as a matter of fact, the western and northern shores are being gradually abandoned by the French, who find they are not making their expenses. The fishing of the future will be the bank fishery, and probably the French could make satisfactory arrangements to procure bait from Norway or elsewhere. Of course St. Pierre would suffer. He acknowledged this, and said the merchants of St. Pierre would be ruined; that he [Page 819] had advised them to go to St. George’s Bay and try to establish a trade there with the people, exchanging French goods for farm produce. After some further conversation he left.
I mentioned this conversation at length, as I think it not improbable, now that it has been demonstrated to the merchants at St. Pierre that the loss of the bait from Fortune Bay and the stoppage of the illicit trade with the southern shore by which the bait has been procured, means financial disaster to them, while the cost of obtaining their fish must be largely increased to the metropolitan armatours, that the French Government may be moved to approach Her Majesty’s Government with a view to renewed negotiations; and it is desirable that your lordship should know exactly what has taken place here.
The hopes of the French have been centered upon St. George’s Bay, but this year the herrings have struck in for a few days, and have gone, possibly on account of severe netting, for when the herring are much disturbed in shallow waters they are sometimes driven away, while in deep waters like Fortune Bay they only go down for a time. This year the seasons have singularly favored Newfoundland, and, in my opinion, the time is more favorable for a satisfactory settlement of the whole difficulty than later on, when the first shock of the dislocation of trade arrangements has passed, and possibly a different mode of baiting or fishing may be devised by the French. At present the mercantile community bore are so elated at the success of the bait act that it is difficult to say what would satisfy them. But if good terms, including substantial reduction of bounty, could be procured, I should not despair of inducing ray Government and the legislature to accept them.
The shore fishery has been declining for some years, and does not now even pay the fishermen of Newfoundland, with their inexpensive gear, while the French armateurs have been losing heavily. The best part of the shore fishery is that from Cape St. John on the east coast to Quirpon on the north. I inclose a return, received from a reliable source, of the number of French vessels and men employed on that portion of the coast, for the year 1886–’87, with the number of quintals of fish taken. The decrease in the number last year is very considerable, and it is evident that even with the bounties on fish and premiums on men employed, 18 quintals per man in 1886 and 7 quintals in 1887 could not pay the merchants.
While writing this dispatch I have received from the colonial secretary a report from Mr. Prowse detailing his proceedings in Fortune Bay. I inclose a copy for your lordship’s information.
As I feel that it is important that the governor of this colony should know from personal observation the conditions existing round the coasts, I propose to request the admiral to afford me accommodation in one of Her Majesty’s ships for that purpose.
I have, etc.,
Mr. Fenelon to Mr. Justice Prowse.
St. John’s, Newfoundland, March 8, 1888.
Dear Sir: I am directed to acquaint you that the Government desire to avail of your services to take charge of the arrangements for the enforcement of the provisions of the bait act of 1887, against the export of bait to St. Pierre during the present season.
You will proceed forthwith in one of two steamers (the Lady Gloverand Hercules) which have been employed for the service. Mr. P. Hubert, J. P., of Harbor Breton, will co-operate with you and under your direction, and you will be provided with a sufficient staff of police.
Subinspector Sullivan will have immediate control of the police, and will also act in the capacity of a commissioner under the second section of the act to examine suspected parties.
It will be necessary for you to remain on board of one of the steamers, acting in concert with Mr. Sullivan, who will have control of the movements of the other, subject to your directions.
You and Mr. Sullivan will also avail of any assistance or information that Mr. Hubert, from his previous experience upon a similar service, can afford, but it is desirable that Mr. Hubert should be as much as possible free to act more particularly in his judicial capacity, and it will probably not be necessary that he should be on board of either of the steamers, except, perhaps, at the outset, in inaugurating the service.
I am, etc.,
Mr. Justice Prowse to Governor Blake.
My Dear Governor: I inclose for your excellency’s perusal the rough draft of the terms we would probably obtain from the French, now that they are in sore straits for bait. I have sent a copy to Sir Robert. If this arrangement were carried out we should gain a great diplomatic triumph, virtually settle the vexed question’s of the consul at St. Pierre, and the bad treatment of our fishermen by French officers, get a large increase of revenue, and greatly benefit Fortune Bay.
The bait act is a two-edged sword that cuts into bur finances and ruins the Fortune Bay men; to keep it up indefinitely is bad policy. I have carefully studied the question, and I am sure you will never compel the French to give up their bounties; your pressure on them will have directly opposite (?); if we persecute them the home Government will help them; you know the French character, and will see that I am right; the French are very anxious to negotiate just now; later on the pressure may be removed; supplies of bait may turn up; therefore I think when I first asked Government was the very best time, as they were in a panic. I also know that through St. Pierre is the best way to negotiate; the colony is really interested, and its views will rule with the home country. I have carefully worded these paragraphs, so as not to touch French pride.
They really amount to giving us a consul and concurrent rights, but I have not so worded it.
Paragraph 5 might run:
“French and English subjects on parts of Newfoundland where French have treaty rights shall possess and enjoy equal and concurrent rights in the cod fishery on those coasts.”
I shall call some time early and discuss the points with your excellency. I try my best to follow your directions “to bait the French.”
I have, etc.,
draft of terms.
Whereas it is desirable to promote friendly intercourse and to remove all causes of misunderstanding between Her Britannic Majesty’s subjects in Newfoundland and the citizens of the French Republic resorting to that colony for the purpose of fishing, Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the President of the French Republic have resolved to conclude the following temporary arrangement and modus Vivendi:
(Here insert names of plenipotentiaries. I had governor Newfoundland and St. Pierre.)
(2) French bona fide fishermen shall be permitted to purchase all kinds of bait fishes in Newfoundland for the sole use of their fishing vessels in the catching of codfish from the—— day of April in each year, on payment of an annual license fee of —— per ton register, subject to the following conditions:
Such bait shall only be procurable by French fishing vessels when at anchor within a port of entry in Newfoundland, and after such vessel has been duly entered by a custom-house officer and the license visé by such officer.
Each fishing vessel shall receive bait exclusively for the use of the crew of the said vessel in the catching of codfish, and such bait to be given at the rate of —— barrels per dory manned by two fishermen; such licenses shall be given subject to the laws of Newfoundland, the terms of this arrangement, and the other conditions named in such license.
(3) Such licenses shall be granted by the resident agent and representative of the government of Newfoundland at St. Pierre, who, for all purposes connected with this position, shall have the same facilities, rights, and powers as the duly authorized consul of any foreign power resident on French territory.
(4) Her Majesty agrees that all questions arising in Newfoundland of the violation of the laws of Great Britain or Newfoundland committed by French subjects in the colony shall be tried in a speedy and inexpensive manner at the place of detention of the vessel; where practicable reasonable bail shall be accepted; there shall he proper appeals available for the defense; the written evidence at the trial may be [Page 821] used on such appeals; all judgments may be reviewed by the governor of Newfoundland.
The high contracting parties further agree that all infractions of the treaties committed by subjects of either nation on parts of Newfoundland where the French have fishery rights shall be tried by a mixed commission composed of French and English naval officers, on which commission the colony of Newfoundland may be represented by counsel, but without judicial authority, and all coercive jurisdiction under the said treaties shall be exercised solely by the said mixed commission.
(5) The President of the French Republic undertakes to direct all his officials and all citizens of the said Republic in Newfoundland to treat all English subjects, when fishing on parts of Newfoundland where the French have treaty rights, at all times in a friendly manner, not to molest or disturb them in their avocations, or treat them in an arbitrary manner, or drive them out of any harbor, or cut up or injure or take up any of their fishery gear, or injure their boats or vessels, and at all times to treat them as the French treat each other.
(6) A mixed commission of French and English naval officers shall be appointed by the high contracting powers to delimit without delay the waters surrounding the French colonies of St. Pierre and Miquelon and the adjacent waters surrounding Newfoundland, and such delimitation shall be marked by them on the admiralty charts of both countries by a series of lines regularly numbered and duly described, and such charts shall be signed in duplicate and duly delivered to the respective governments.
(7) This arrangement may be concluded by either of the high contracting parties giving each other twelve months’ notice in writing of their intention to terminate the same.
(8) To facilitate a speedy settlement this arrangement may be ratified in London by the ambassador of the French Republic and the Government of Her Majesty, and put in force immediately.
Mr. Justice Prowse to Mr. Fenelon.
Sir: Having been requested by the Government on the 8th March, 1888, to take charge of the arrangements for enforcement of the provisions of the bait act of 1887 against the exportation of bait to St. Pierre, I have the honor to make the following report of my proceedings to this date:
I received a very brief letter of instructions from the Government at 1 p.m. on the 8th March; at 2.30, having to wait an hour for the police, I started from St. John’s in company with the steam-ship Hercules, with a party of police, under the command of Subinspector Sullivan. After being detained by ice for two days, we arrived at St. Lawrence on the 12th. Immediately proceeded to Lamalim and Grand Bank, and thence to Belloram. I found feeling running high in the district against the act, and that there would be determined opposition to its enforcement. The people had been led to believe by interested parties in St. Pierre that the act was made entirely in the interests of St. John’s merchants; that the British Government did not approve of it; that the St. John’s government, as the French call the colonial administration, wished to starve Fortune Bay, and, finally, that a large number of schooner owners had bound themselves together by a mutual written agreement to break the law in a body after the 18th April.
During all the month of March and the next month I was busy going about in the steamer Lady Glover, visiting every settlement in Fortune Bay, Bay Despoir, Hermitage, and Placentia Bays. I explained to the people the nature of the measure, that it was intended to protect our interests, that by its enforcement we would compel the French to come into our bays to buy their bait, and then obtain for the people better prices for their herring, and prevent the reckless waste that now goes on, and generally to obtain fair terms from the French.
In two large settlements of Fortune and Grand Bank the people, having heard my views, generally agreed with me, and they have always loyally obeyed the law. I also found that from the scarcity of herring in Placentia Bay there would be no disobedience to the law, and that I was free to give my undivided attention to Fortune Bay. In the smaller harbors the fishermen were so afraid of punishment that I found generally there was not much danger to be apprehended from them. So from the 15th April on I had to give my undivided attention to fighting the opponents of the measure at Rencontre, St. Jacques, Belloram, Bay de North, and English Harbor.
In the mean time I kept the Hercules on guard all the time at the mouth of the bay, relieving her from time to time with the Lady Glover.
On the 15th Government engaged Greyhound, and I put Mr. Hubert, resident magistrate for Fortune Bay, in charge of hex. I had received information of when the [Page 822] meetings were to be held, and I was always present to combat objections, to explain the act, and generally to fight my opponents.
The 18th April was the legal time under the old law for carrying herrings to St. Pierre, and on the 19th the combined schooner owners had agreed to haul. The merchants of St. Pierre fully expected on that day a supply of bait, as their friends in Fortune Bay had promised to break the blockade, but from the 19th to the 22d active preparations were made for a meeting at Bay de North on the 23d.
On Sunday evening, 22d, there was a disturbance at Rencontre; the police were resisted in searching a vessel for herrings, stones thrown at them, and the small force had to retire. They recognized the ringleader, and after taking depositions and issuing warrants I proceeded to Bay de North, to meet the Hercules, with the subinspector and the rest of the police. By 2 a.m. we had arrested the ringleaders in their beds, taken the principal conspirator, an Italian named Giovannini, as a witness, and then proceeded to Bay de North, where between forty and fifty schooners were at anchor. The appearance of Giovannini aboard our steamer, and the news of the arrest of their leader, Thomas Vallance, exaggerated accounts of the number of other prisoners on board, struck terror into the members of the combination. Mr. Hubert went amongst them, advised them to obey the law, and One by one they went away. From this time forward we were continually employed with the four steamers enforcing the act and it has been done so effectually, that by the 4th May the French, out of 52,000 barrels of herring required for their first baiting, had only obtained 4,000 barrels. The largest portion of this supply was received by them before our arrival in Fortune Bay, and only a small portion by smuggling. Some of this quantity was received from American bankers, who, having obtained bait by license under protocol of Washington treaty solely for their own use, and under a solemn obligation not to export to St. Pierre, nevertheless, about five out of over thirty perjured themselves and sold bait. I was particular in dealing with the Americans, had treated them all very courteously, and all the rest of the American masters condemned in vigorous language the conduct of these five skippers. By this time the French, having realized that bait could not be obtained from Fortune Bay, turned their attention to other sources of supply; sent first one portion of their fleet to Bay St. George, whilst another went to Magdalen Islands. In neither of these places have they been successful in obtaining the desired supply, and the experiments tried with purse-seines have been equally unsuccessful. The French have realized that they can not do without the supply of bait from Fortune Bay; it was always cheap, convenient, and fresh, three necessary ingredients in such a traffic.
I have, etc.,
List of French vessels from Lacie to Quirpon.
| Name of place. | Number of schooner. | Number of brigs. | Number of men. | Number of seines. | Number of quintals of fish. |
| 1886. | |||||
| Lacie | 1 | 84 | 3 | 1,450 | |
| Cat Cove | 1 | 62 | 2 | 650 | |
| Canada | 1 | 65 | 2 | 550 | |
| Rogue Harbor | 1 | 5 | 340 | 11 | 11,000 |
| Croque | 1 | 62 | 3 | 350 | |
| St. Julian’s | 1 | 66 | 3 | 700 | |
| Sealet | 1 | 64 | 2 | 280 | |
| Fish shot Island | 1 | 60 | 2 | 280 | |
| Quirpon | 1 | 62 | 1 | 220 | |
| 1 | 13 | 865 | 30 | 15,480 | |
| 1887. | |||||
| Rogue Harbor | 4 | 250 | 8 | 2,000 | |
| Croque | 1 | 66 | 2 | 350 | |
| St. Julian’s | 1 | 66 | 2 | 400 | |
| Fish Shot Island | 1 | 64 | 2 | 330 | |
| Canada | 1 | 62 | 2 | 440 | |
| 8 | 508 | 16 | 3,520 |
The Marquis of Salisbury to Mr. Edwardes.
Sir: I approve the note to the United States Government respecting the alleged violation of the Newfoundland bait act by the United States fishermen, of which a copy accompanied your dispatch No. 207, of the 7th instant.
I am, etc.,