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[Enclosure.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Washington, December 10, 1846.

SIR: Enclosed is a letter addressed to our minister at the court of St. James, and I avail myself of the permission given by you to ask that it may be forwarded with the instructions given to him in relation to the fishing vessels belonging to our citizens, which have been captured by British

cruisers.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,

To the Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN,

Secretary of State.

DANIEL P. KING.

[Extract.]

Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Buchanan.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

London, January 4, 1847.

SIR: Your despatches Nos. 5 and 6 have come to hand. The last shall receive instant attention immediately on Lord Palmerston's return from the country. As it regards the claim for the fishing vessels taken in 1840, I am not so clear, and will write again on the subject after mature examination. Till then I shall exercise the discretion which you direct me to use. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE BANCROFT.

Mr. Crampton to Mr. Webster.

WASHINGTON, July 5, 1852.

SIR: I have been directed by her Majesty's government to bring to the knowledge of the government of the United States a measure which has been adopted by her Majesty's government to prevent a repetition of the complaints which have so frequently been made of the encroachments of vessels belonging to citizens of the United States and of France upon the fishing grounds reserved to Great Britain by the convention of 1818.

Urgent representations having been addressed to her Majesty's government by the governors of the British North American provinces in regard to these encroachments, whereby the colonial fisheries are most seriously prejudiced, directions have been given by the lords of her Majesty's admiralty for stationing off New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward's Island, and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, such a force of small sailing vessels and steamers as shall be deemed sufficient to prevent the infraction of the treaty. It is the command of the Queen that the officers employed upon this service should be especially enjoined to avoid all interference with the vessels of friendly powers, except where they are in the act of

violating the treaty, and on all occasions to avoid giving ground of complaint by the adoption of harsh or unnecessary proceedings when circumstances compel their arrest or seizure.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you, sir, the assurance of my high consideration.

Honorable DANIEL WEBSTER, &c., &c., &c.

JOHN F. CRAMPTON.

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SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 5th instant, in which, by direction of your government, you bring to the knowledge of that of the United States, a measure which has been adopted by her Britannic Majesty's government to prevent a repetition of the complaints which have so frequently been made, of the encroachments of vessels belonging to the citizens of the United States and of France upon the fishing grounds reserved to Great Britain by the convention of 1818; and to be, with high, consideration, sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN F. CRAMPTON, Esq., &c.

W. HUNTER,
Acting Secretary.

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