No. 256.

Mr. Thornton to Mr. Davis.

Sir: With reference to my note of the 14th ultimo to the Secretary of State, in which I forwarded to him a copy of the Canadian act respecting fishing by foreign vessels, of the 22d of May, 1868, I have now the honor to inclose a further law of the 12th instant, repealing the third section of the above-mentioned act.

AN ACT to amend an act respecting fishing by foreign vessels. (Assented to May 12, 1870.)

Whereas it is expedient, for the more effectual protection of the in-shore fisheries of Canada against intrusion by foreigners, to amend the act intituled “An act respecting fishing by foreign vessels,” passed in the thirty-first year of her Majesty s reign; therefore, her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1. The third section of the above-cited act shall be, and is hereby, repealed, and the following section is enacted in its stead:

“3. Any one of such officers or persons as are above mentioned may bring any ship, [Page 415] vessel, or boat, being within any harbor in Canada or hovering (in British waters) within three marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors in Canada, into port, and search her cargo; and may also examine the master, upon oath, touching the cargo and voyage; and if the master, or person in command, shall not truly answer the questions put to him in such examination, he shall forfeit four hundred dollars; and if such ship, vessel, or boat be foreign, or not navigated according to the laws of the United Kingdom, or of Canada, and have been found fishing, or preparing to fish, or to have been fishing (in British waters) within three marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or harbors of Canada, not included within the above-mentioned limits, without a license, or after the expiration of the period named in the last license granted to such ship, vessel, or boat, under the first section of this act, such ship, vessel, or boat, and the tackle, rigging, apparel, furniture, stores, and cargo thereof, shall be forfeited.”

2. This act shall be construed as one with the said act “respecting fishing by foreign vessels.”