Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 15.
NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY.

Sir John Newport rose to bring forward the motion of which he had given notice, relative to the Newfoundland Fishery. He strongly deprecated any interpretation of his motion inimical to America. But the Americans had the exclusive right of fishery on their own coasts, and we should have it equally on ours. We had the exclusive fishery on the coasts of Newfoundland, Labrador, and on the Gulph of St. Lawrence, before the American war. We had then in that fishery 16,000 seamen and 80,000 tons of shipping. This was a vast source, not only of wealth to our commerce, but of strength to our maritime rights. He would therefore move, that there be presented to his royal highness the prince regent an humble address, representing the state of our fisheries on the coast of Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Gulph of St. Lawrence, and the exclusive right of Great Britain to those fisheries; and praying that there be instructions given to our Naval commanders on those stations to maintain our exclusive rights in them.

Gen. Gascoyne seconded the motion.

Lord Castlereagh agreed with the right hon. Baronet in the value of the fisheries, both to our commerce and to our naval power. We certainly had an extensive right, by the laws of nations, to those fisheries, but this right, like others, he conceived should be left to the guardianship of the executive, till there was cause of complaint of its violation. He assured the right hon. Baronet that it was the intention of his majesty's government to pay all due attention to this important subject. He should therefore move the previous question.

Mr. M. A. Taylor hoped that in any future negociation with America, our right to those fisheries would be fully guarded.

Sir John Newport would consent to withdraw his motion, as his sole motive was to draw the attention of his majesty's government to the subject.

June 17.