Before the order had been received in Nova Scotia, zealous British officers already had begun to exclude the fishermen of New England from their territory and waters. On the 28th of June, 1815, eight American vessels were brought into Halifax by a British cruiser. British cruiser. After a short detention the vessels were released, having their papers indorsed forbidding them to fish on the western shores of that province. Upon protest by President Monroe, the act was promptly disavowed by the British government, but the outrage was the means of leading the two governments to enter into negotiations which resulted in the Convention of 1818.

Before the convention took place other seizures were made by the British. In 1816, several vessels in the Bay of Fundy were seized and sent to Newfoundland. The next year one British sloop of war alone sent twenty sail of American fishermen to Halifax for trespassing in the waters of the coast. More seizures followed in 1818, even at the time that the treaty negotiations were going on.3 Great indignation was felt in the United States over these seizures, especially those of 1818. It was evident to the public mind that Great Britain was determined, if possible, to exclude American fishing vessels from waters adjacent to British territory in America.

By the terms of the Convention of 1818 relating to the fisheries our fishermen received fewer rights and privileges than they had been enjoying under the former treaty with Great Britain. The first article of this convention defines the extent of the right of fishing as follows:

"Whereas differences have arisen respecting the liberty claimed by the United States for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, and cure fish on certain coasts, bays, harbours, and creeks of His 1 Ibid, X, p. 372.

2 Ibid, XII, p. 299.

3 Ibid, XIV, pp. 344, 360.

Britannic Majesty's dominions in America, it is agreed between the high contracting parties, that the inhabitants of the said United States shall have forever, in common with the subjects of His Britannic 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 Rameau Islands, on the western and northern coasts of Newfoundland, from the said Cape Ray to the Quirpon Islands, on the shores of the Magdalen Islands, and also on the coasts, bays, harbours, and creeks from Mount Joly on the southern coast of Labrador, to and through the Streights of Belle Isle, and thence northwardly indefinitely along the coast, without prejudice, however, to any of the exclusive rights of the Hudson Bay Company: And that the American fishermen shall also have liberty forever, to dry and cure fish in any of the unsettled bays, harbours, and creeks of the southern part of the coast of Newfoundland hereabove described, and of the coast of Labrador; but so soon as the same, or any portion thereof, shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the said fishermen to dry or cure fish at such portion so settled, without previous agreement for such purpose with the inhabitants, proprietors, or possessors of the ground. And the United States hereby renounce forever, any liberty heretofore enjoyed or claimed by the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, or cure fish on, or within three marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbours of His Britannic Majesty's dominions in America not included within the above-mentioned limits; Provided, however, that the American fishermen shall be admitted to enter such bays or harbours for the purpose of shelter and of repairing damages therein, of purchasing 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 other manner whatever abusing the privileges hereby reserved to them." 1

The important differences between this treaty and that of 1783 are, first, that the Americans gave up the inshore fishing along certain parts of the coast, and secondly, that 1 Snow, American Diplomacy, pp. 78–80.

facilities for drying and curing fish were enlarged in favor of American fishermen. The importance of the concession of inshore privileges was not realized by the American commissioners at the time. The mackerel fishery in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence did not become of economic value to our fishermen for more than a decade later. The treaty, while it settled the main question at issue that of defining the right of American fishermen in British waters-did not enter into the details of the controversy sufficiently to make clear matters that appeared to be unimportant at the time. The free navigation of the Strait of Canso, the purchase of bait and other supplies, the landing and transshipment of fish, and other privileges were soon to be demanded by the Americans, only to be met with refusal on the part of Canadian officials. The fishery question, instead of being settled had really begun the course of its unenviable career.